En 15 secondes
- Getting official 'green light' for a request or project.
- Commonly used for budgets, vacations, and building permits.
- Involves a formal process and an authority figure's signature.
Signification
This phrase describes the process of getting official approval for something. It is about submitting a request and successfully having it signed off by an authority figure or organization.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Talking about work vacation
Ich muss mir meinen Resturlaub noch bewilligen lassen.
I still need to have my remaining vacation days approved.
Discussing a home renovation
Wir müssen den Anbau erst vom Bauamt bewilligen lassen.
We have to get the extension approved by the building office first.
Applying for a research grant
Das Forschungsprojekt wurde endlich bewilligt!
The research project was finally granted!
Contexte culturel
The 'Dienstweg' (official channels) is sacred. Skipping a step in the 'bewilligen lassen' process is seen as a major faux pas. In Austria, 'bewilligen lassen' is often accompanied by 'Vitamin B' (connections), though the formal process remains identical to Germany. Swiss bureaucracy is highly efficient but very strict. 'Bewilligen lassen' often involves local 'Gemeinde' (community) approval. In modern German tech companies, 'bewilligen lassen' is being replaced by 'absegnen lassen' to sound less 'stiff'.
Use 'mir' for personal benefit
Adding 'mir' (dative) makes it clear the approval is for you: 'Ich lasse mir den Urlaub bewilligen'.
Don't forget the 'lassen'
Without 'lassen', you are the one giving the approval, which might confuse your boss!
En 15 secondes
- Getting official 'green light' for a request or project.
- Commonly used for budgets, vacations, and building permits.
- Involves a formal process and an authority figure's signature.
What It Means
Bewilligen lassen is all about the green light. It means you are not just asking for something. You are taking the steps to get it officially authorized. It implies a process. You submit a form, wait, and then get the 'yes'. It is most common with money, time off, or building projects. Think of it as the moment your boss finally signs that vacation request.
How To Use It
This is a causative construction using lassen. You place the object you want approved in the middle. For example, Ich muss meinen Urlaub bewilligen lassen. You are the one initiating the action. But someone else—the authority—is doing the actual approving. It works perfectly with modal verbs like müssen or können. Just remember that bewilligen is a strong, official word. It feels weightier than just 'asking'.
When To Use It
Use this when dealing with bureaucracy or hierarchies. It is perfect for the office when talking about budgets. Use it at the university for research grants. It is also the go-to phrase for insurance claims. If there is a paper trail involved, this is your phrase. It sounds professional and organized. You will hear it often in news reports about government spending.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for small, personal favors. You wouldn't bewilligen lassen a cup of sugar from a neighbor. That would sound like you are running a government department from your kitchen. Avoid it for emotional permissions too. You don't 'get approval' for a second date in this way. It is too cold for friendships. Stick to fragen or bitten for casual life.
Cultural Background
Germany is famous for its love of order and 'Anträge' (applications). This phrase is the heart of that culture. To a German ear, bewilligen lassen sounds secure. It means the rules were followed and the system worked. There is a certain satisfaction in having something 'officially' approved. It reflects a society that values clear processes and written confirmation. It is the verbal equivalent of a rubber stamp hitting paper.
Common Variations
In very formal settings, you might hear genehmigen lassen. It is almost identical but feels even more 'official'. For money specifically, people sometimes say Mittel freigeben lassen. If you are talking about a law or a plan, you might use verabschieden lassen. However, bewilligen lassen remains the king of everyday administrative tasks. It is the most versatile way to say you got the 'okay' from above.
Notes d'usage
This phrase sits firmly in the formal to neutral register. It is the standard way to discuss administrative approvals without sounding overly stiff, yet it maintains professional boundaries.
Use 'mir' for personal benefit
Adding 'mir' (dative) makes it clear the approval is for you: 'Ich lasse mir den Urlaub bewilligen'.
Don't forget the 'lassen'
Without 'lassen', you are the one giving the approval, which might confuse your boss!
Exemples
6Ich muss mir meinen Resturlaub noch bewilligen lassen.
I still need to have my remaining vacation days approved.
A very common office scenario using the reflexive 'mir'.
Wir müssen den Anbau erst vom Bauamt bewilligen lassen.
We have to get the extension approved by the building office first.
Refers to the strict German building codes.
Das Forschungsprojekt wurde endlich bewilligt!
The research project was finally granted!
Using the passive form to show the result.
Hast du das Budget für die Party bewilligen lassen?
Did you get the budget for the party approved?
Slightly ironic as office parties are usually less formal.
Es dauert ewig, diesen Kredit bewilligen zu lassen.
It takes forever to get this loan approved.
Expresses frustration with the slow process.
Ich hoffe, sie lassen mir das Stipendium bewilligen.
I hope they let my scholarship be granted.
Focuses on the hope of receiving financial aid.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of 'lassen' and 'bewilligen'.
Ich habe mir gestern {den|m} {Kredit|m} ______ ______.
In the Perfekt tense, we use the Ersatzinfinitiv 'bewilligen lassen'.
Which sentence is correct for a formal office environment?
How do you ask to get your travel costs approved?
This is the most polite and professionally accurate way to phrase the request.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Hast du schon die Baugenehmigung? B: Nein, ich muss sie erst noch ______ ______.
A 'Baugenehmigung' is a formal document that requires 'Bewilligung'.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
3 exercicesIch habe mir gestern {den|m} {Kredit|m} ______ ______.
In the Perfekt tense, we use the Ersatzinfinitiv 'bewilligen lassen'.
How do you ask to get your travel costs approved?
This is the most polite and professionally accurate way to phrase the request.
A: Hast du schon die Baugenehmigung? B: Nein, ich muss sie erst noch ______ ______.
A 'Baugenehmigung' is a formal document that requires 'Bewilligung'.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
2 questionsNo, it can be for time (vacation), permits (building), or even exceptions to rules.
They are 95% interchangeable. 'Bewilligen' is slightly more common for money/grants, 'genehmigen' for laws/permits.
Expressions liées
genehmigen lassen
synonymTo have something authorized.
beantragen
builds onTo apply for something.
absegnen lassen
similarTo get the 'blessing' or final okay.
