bewilligen

You use bewilligen when an official body or person grants permission or approves a request. This usually involves a formal process. Think of applications, requests, or proposals that need official sign-off. You'll often see it in contexts involving money, time off, or official documents. It’s about granting something that was formally requested and is now being approved.

• A company grants a budget increase for a project.
• A government agency approves a visa application.
• A university grants a student a scholarship.
• A landlord grants a tenant permission to renovate.
• A court grants an injunction.

Use bewilligen when you need to express that an official entity has given its formal approval. This is for situations where there’s a clear request and a formal decision-maker. Think of applying for a loan, requesting sick leave, or seeking an export license. It implies a process of review and a final, positive outcome. It’s the sound of bureaucracy working in your favor!

Don't use bewilligen for everyday, informal 'yeses'. You wouldn't say your friend bewilligt you to borrow their headphones. That's way too formal! Also, avoid it for spontaneous decisions or personal favors. It’s not for agreeing to meet for coffee or letting someone cut in line. Stick to erlauben or zustimmen for those less official moments. Using it incorrectly sounds hilariously stiff, like a robot trying to order pizza.

• ✗ Ich bitte meinen Chef, mir den Urlaub zu erlauben. → ✓ Ich bitte meinen Chef, mir den Urlaub zu bewilligen. (While erlauben means 'to allow', bewilligen is specifically for *granting* an official request like leave.)
• ✗ Die Bank hat meinen Kredit zugestimmt. → ✓ Die Bank hat meinen Kredit bewilligt. (Zustimmen means to agree, but bewilligen is for the official *granting* of the loan itself.)
• ✗ Der Lehrer bewilligte die Hausaufgabe. → ✓ Der Lehrer erlaubte die Hausaufgabe. (Granting homework isn't the right context for bewilligen; it’s too formal for a teacher assigning work.)

• genehmigen: Very similar, often interchangeable. Genehmigen also implies official approval, often for plans or permits. Think of a building plan needing Genehmigung. Bewilligen feels slightly more about granting a specific request or resource.
• erlauben: Means 'to allow' or 'to permit'. It's less formal than bewilligen and can be used in more everyday situations. You erlauben someone to do something, but a committee bewilligt funding.
• zustimmen: Means 'to agree' or 'to consent'. It's about reaching an agreement, not necessarily the formal granting of something requested. A person might zustimmen to a proposal, but an organization bewilligt the funds for it.

• Bewilligung: This is the noun form, meaning 'grant', 'approval', or 'authorization'. You might receive a Bewilligung letter. It's super common and you'll see it everywhere official documents are involved.
• sich etwas bewilligen: This reflexive form means to grant something *to oneself*. It's rare but can be used humorously, like treating yourself to something extravagant after a long period of saving. Like, Ich habe mir endlich diesen Urlaub bewilligt! (I finally granted myself this vacation!).

• What's the difference between bewilligen and genehmigen?

Bewilligen often relates to granting specific requests like funds or leave, while genehmigen is broader, covering official permits and plans.

• Can I use bewilligen for personal things?

Generally no, it's too formal. Save it for official, bureaucratic approvals. Unless you're humorously granting yourself a treat!

• Is bewilligen always about money?

Not exclusively, but it's very common for financial grants, budgets, or loans. It can also apply to time off, permits, or official permissions.