επιτρέπεται

The Greek word επιτρέπεται is a cornerstone of Greek social and legal interaction. At its most basic level, it translates to "it is allowed" or "it is permitted." Grammatically, it is the third-person singular passive form of the verb επιτρέπω (to allow), but it is most frequently used in this impersonal way to denote general permission or legality. When you walk through the streets of Athens or Thessaloniki, you will encounter this word on signs, in official documents, and in everyday conversations regarding rules and boundaries.

Grammatical Essence

It functions as an impersonal verb construction, often followed by a noun phrase or a clause starting with 'να'.

Social Function

It establishes the boundaries of acceptable behavior in public and private spaces, acting as a polite but firm indicator of authority.

Understanding επιτρέπεται requires recognizing the nuances of Greek passive voice. While in English we might say "Smoking is allowed," the Greek structure literally says "It allows itself" or "It is being permitted." This impersonal nature removes the focus from the person granting permission and places it on the action itself. It is the language of signs, laws, and regulations. For instance, in a museum, you might see a sign that says Επιτρέπεται η φωτογράφιση (Photography is allowed), which is a much more common way to express this than using an active subject.

In a broader sense, επιτρέπεται is used in philosophical and ethical discussions. It touches upon what is morally permissible. When Greeks discuss rights or social norms, this word often surfaces to define the limits of freedom. It is not just about physical actions like parking or smoking; it is about the conceptual space of what one is 'allowed' to do within a society. For a learner, mastering this word is key to navigating Greek bureaucracy and public life, as it is the standard way to ask for or identify permission without sounding overly personal or aggressive.

The word's versatility is evident in its ability to adapt to different levels of formality. In a very formal setting, like a courtroom or a government office, it sounds perfectly natural. In a casual setting, like a home, it might be used by a parent to a child: Δεν επιτρέπεται να μιλάς έτσι (It is not allowed to speak like that). This flexibility makes it one of the most useful verbs in the Greek vocabulary. It bridges the gap between the rigid world of law and the soft world of interpersonal etiquette.

Finally, the word carries a weight of authority. When someone says επιτρέπεται, they are often speaking on behalf of a system or a set of rules. It is less about their personal opinion and more about the objective reality of the situation. This is why it is used in academic writing and legal texts to describe what is theoretically or legally possible. If you are writing a paper in Greek about human rights, you will undoubtedly use this word to describe the freedoms that are permitted by law.

Public Spaces

Used on signs for parking, smoking, and entry requirements.

Legal Contexts

Defines what is lawful or authorized under specific statutes.

Using επιτρέπεται correctly involves understanding its two primary syntactic structures. The first is επιτρέπεται + Noun, and the second is επιτρέπεται + να + Verb. Both are equally common, but they serve slightly different purposes in communication. The noun construction is more concise and frequently used on signs, while the verb construction is more common in spoken explanations and detailed instructions.

Structure A: Noun

Επιτρέπεται η είσοδος (Entry is allowed). Here, the noun 'είσοδος' acts as the subject.

Structure B: Verb Phrase

Επιτρέπεται να μπείτε (It is allowed that you enter). This uses the subjunctive 'να' to specify the action.

When you want to ask for permission, you can turn the statement into a question simply by changing your intonation. Επιτρέπεται; is a very common and polite way to ask "Is it allowed?" or "May I?" if you are pointing at something or standing at a doorway. It is shorthand for Επιτρέπεται να περάσω; (Is it allowed for me to pass?). This brevity is a hallmark of conversational Greek, where the context provides the missing information.

Negative constructions are perhaps even more frequent. By adding δεν before the verb, you create a prohibition. Δεν επιτρέπεται η στάθμευση (Parking is not allowed). Note that the word order can shift for emphasis. While Δεν επιτρέπεται το κάπνισμα is standard, you might also see Το κάπνισμα δεν επιτρέπεται to put the focus squarely on the smoking itself. This flexibility allows speakers to highlight the most important part of the rule.

In more complex sentences, επιτρέπεται can be used to describe conditional permissions. For example: Επιτρέπεται η χρήση του κινητού μόνο σε περίπτωση ανάγκης (The use of the mobile phone is allowed only in case of emergency). This illustrates how the word acts as the anchor for a set of conditions. It is also common in academic or legal Greek to see it combined with other impersonal verbs like πρέπει (must) or μπορεί (can), though επιτρέπεται specifically focuses on the 'permission' aspect.

For advanced learners, it's important to note that επιτρέπεται can also be used in the past tense (επιτρεπόταν) or the future (θα επιτρέπεται). For example: Παλαιότερα επιτρεπόταν το κάπνισμα παντού (In the past, smoking was allowed everywhere). This allows you to discuss changes in rules and social norms over time. The passive conjugation remains consistent with other verbs of the same class, making it a good exercise in mastering the passive voice in a practical context.

Past Tense

Επιτρεπόταν η είσοδος (Entry was being allowed/permitted).

Future Tense

Θα επιτρέπεται η πρόσβαση (Access will be allowed).

You will hear επιτρέπεται in a variety of real-world scenarios in Greece. Perhaps the most common is the public transport system. On the Athens Metro or buses, automated announcements or signs will use this word to inform passengers of the rules. Whether it's about eating, drinking, or carrying pets, επιτρέπεται and its negative counterpart δεν επιτρέπεται are the standard linguistic tools for managing public behavior.

Public Transport

Announcements about carrying bicycles or pets: 'Επιτρέπεται η μεταφορά ποδηλάτων...'

Museums & Sites

Instructions on flash photography or touching exhibits: 'Δεν επιτρέπεται να αγγίζετε τα εκθέματα.'

In a commercial environment, such as a shop or a restaurant, you might hear a customer ask the staff: Επιτρέπεται να δοκιμάσω αυτό το ρούχο; (Is it allowed for me to try on this garment?). Even though the staff member is the one giving the permission, the impersonal form is often preferred as it sounds more polite and less demanding than saying "Will you let me...?". It shifts the focus to the policy of the store rather than a personal favor.

In the workplace, επιτρέπεται is used to outline company policies. During an orientation or in an employee handbook, you'll see phrases like Δεν επιτρέπεται η χρήση προσωπικών τηλεφώνων κατά τις ώρες εργασίας (The use of personal phones is not allowed during work hours). This formal usage helps maintain a professional distance between the management and the staff, framing rules as objective standards rather than personal whims.

Religious contexts also frequently utilize this word. In Greek Orthodox churches, there are specific rules about attire and behavior. You might hear a church official or see a sign saying Δεν επιτρέπεται η είσοδος με σορτς (Entry with shorts is not allowed). Here, the word carries a sense of sacred tradition and respect for the space. It is a powerful word because it communicates the 'allowable' limits of a culture's most deeply held values.

Finally, you'll hear it in the media. News anchors often use επιτρέπεται when reporting on government decisions. For example, Από αύριο επιτρέπεται η κυκλοφορία των οχημάτων στο κέντρο (From tomorrow, the circulation of vehicles in the center is allowed). In this context, it functions as a formal announcement of a change in status. Whether you are listening to the radio, watching TV, or reading a newspaper, επιτρέπεται is the go-to verb for discussing the shifting landscape of rules and permissions in Greek society.

Social Etiquette

Asking politely: 'Επιτρέπεται να καθίσω;' (May I sit?)

News & Media

Reporting on legislative changes or public safety measures.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with επιτρέπεται is confusing it with the active form επιτρέπω. While επιτρέπω means "I allow," επιτρέπεται means "it is allowed." Using the active form when you mean to state a general rule can sound strange or overly personal. For example, saying Επιτρέπω το κάπνισμα implies that YOU personally are the authority granting permission, whereas Επιτρέπεται το κάπνισμα states it as a general fact or policy.

Mistake 1: Confusing Active/Passive

Using 'επιτρέπω' instead of 'επιτρέπεται' in impersonal contexts.

Mistake 2: Preposition Errors

Using 'για' (for) instead of a simple noun or 'να' clause.

Another common error involves the word order and the use of articles. In English, we often say "Smoking is allowed" (no article). In Greek, you must say Επιτρέπεται το κάπνισμα. Omitting the definite article το makes the sentence sound incomplete and ungrammatical. Remember that in Greek, abstract nouns or gerund-like activities acting as subjects usually require the definite article. This is a subtle but important detail that distinguishes a beginner from an intermediate learner.

Learners also struggle with the placement of the person being allowed to do something. In English, we say "They allowed us to..." or "We are allowed to...". In Greek, you use the impersonal επιτρέπεται and then specify the person using a genitive or a prepositional phrase with σε. For example: Μας επιτρέπεται να φύγουμε (It is allowed to us to leave). Trying to conjugate επιτρέπεται to match the person (e.g., επιτρεπόμαστε) is incorrect in this context and will likely confuse a native speaker.

Finally, be careful with the distinction between επιτρέπεται and μπορώ (I can). While μπορώ refers to physical or mental ability, επιτρέπεται refers specifically to permission. If you ask Μπορώ να καπνίσω;, you are asking if you have the ability to smoke. If you ask Επιτρέπεται να καπνίσω;, you are asking if it is permitted. While native speakers often use μπορώ loosely to ask for permission, using επιτρέπεται is more precise and often more appropriate in formal or unfamiliar settings.

A more advanced mistake involves the nuances of the word επιτρεπτό (allowable). While επιτρέπεται is a verb, επιτρεπτό is an adjective. You might say Δεν είναι επιτρεπτό (It is not permissible). Beginners sometimes try to use the verb where the adjective is needed, or vice versa. Understanding the part of speech will help you construct more varied and natural-sounding sentences in Greek. Always check if you are describing an action (verb) or a quality of an action (adjective).

Mistake 3: Ability vs. Permission

Using 'μπορώ' when a formal check on permission 'επιτρέπεται' is needed.

Mistake 4: Part of Speech

Confusing the verb 'επιτρέπεται' with the adjective 'επιτρεπτό'.

While επιτρέπεται is the standard word for permission, there are several alternatives that can be used depending on the context and the level of formality. Understanding these synonyms will help you sound more like a native speaker and allow you to express yourself with greater precision. The most common alternative in casual speech is the verb αφήνω (to let/leave).

Alternative: Αφήνω

Used in phrases like 'Με αφήνεις να...;' (Will you let me...?). It is much more personal and informal than 'επιτρέπεται'.

Alternative: Δίνω άδεια

Literally 'to give permission'. Used when a specific authority figure is granting a formal permit.

Another related word is εγκρίνεται (it is approved). This is often used in official or bureaucratic contexts, such as when a request or a budget has been formally accepted. While επιτρέπεται implies a general rule, εγκρίνεται implies a specific decision has been made. For example, Η αίτησή σας εγκρίθηκε (Your application was approved). Knowing when to switch from 'allowed' to 'approved' is a sign of an advanced learner.

In legal or very formal Greek, you might encounter the word συγχωρείται. While its primary meaning is "to be forgiven," in certain archaic or high-register contexts, it can mean "to be permitted" or "tolerated." However, this is rare in daily life. A more practical word to know is παρέχεται (is provided/granted), often used in the phrase παρέχεται η άδεια (permission is granted). This is the kind of language you would see in a contract or a legal disclaimer.

On the opposite side, it's useful to know the antonyms. The most direct opposite is απαγορεύεται (it is forbidden). This is the word you will see on the most serious signs. While δεν επιτρέπεται is a polite prohibition, απαγορεύεται is a strong, legal command. Other alternatives include αποκλείεται (it is excluded/impossible) and εμποδίζεται (it is hindered/prevented), though these carry different shades of meaning related to physical barriers or logical impossibility.

In summary, while επιτρέπεται is your "workhorse" word for permission, expanding your vocabulary to include αφήνω, εγκρίνω, and απαγορεύω will allow you to navigate the full spectrum of Greek social and legal dynamics. Each word carries its own register and implication, and choosing the right one will make your Greek sound more nuanced and culturally appropriate.

Formal Synonym

Παρέχεται η άδεια (Permission is granted).

Informal Synonym

Αφήνω (To let/allow in a personal sense).