Meaning
To get official approval to do something.
Cultural Background
In Brazil, 'obter permissão' often involves a 'despachante'—a professional whose job is to navigate the bureaucracy to get permits for you. The term 'alvará' is frequently used as a synonym for the document you get when you 'obter permissão' for a business. Legal language in Angola remains very close to traditional Portuguese, making 'obter permissão' the standard in all official government communication. In modern tech companies in São Paulo or Lisbon, 'obter permissão' is often replaced by the English 'get the green light' in casual speech, but remains 'obter' in contracts.
The 'Ter' Rule
If you can conjugate 'ter', you can conjugate 'obter'. Just add 'ob-' to the front. This works for all tenses!
Register Check
Don't use this with your friends unless you're being funny. It's very 'office-speak'.
Meaning
To get official approval to do something.
The 'Ter' Rule
If you can conjugate 'ter', you can conjugate 'obter'. Just add 'ob-' to the front. This works for all tenses!
Register Check
Don't use this with your friends unless you're being funny. It's very 'office-speak'.
Bureaucracy is Real
In Brazil, obtaining permission can take time. Using the formal phrase shows you respect the process.
Test Yourself
Conjugate the verb 'obter' in the correct form (Preterite Indicative).
Ontem, a nossa equipe finalmente _______ permissão para iniciar a pesquisa.
The subject is 'a nossa equipe' (3rd person singular), and the preterite of 'obter' is 'obteve'.
Select the most appropriate sentence for a formal business report.
Which sentence is correct?
'Nós obtivemos' is formal and grammatically correct. 'A gente' is informal.
Match the phrase to the most likely context.
Where would you most likely see: 'É vedado o acesso sem obter permissão prévia'?
The language is highly formal and restrictive, typical of high-security areas.
Complete the dialogue with the correct preposition.
Estudante: 'Professor, eu obtive permissão ____ a reitoria para usar o laboratório.'
When indicating the source of the permission (the Rectory), we use 'de' + 'a' = 'da'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Formal vs Informal
Types of Permission
Legal
- • Residência
- • Construção
- • Exploração
Personal
- • Saída
- • Uso de imagem
- • Acesso
Practice Bank
4 exercisesOntem, a nossa equipe finalmente _______ permissão para iniciar a pesquisa.
The subject is 'a nossa equipe' (3rd person singular), and the preterite of 'obter' is 'obteve'.
Which sentence is correct?
'Nós obtivemos' is formal and grammatically correct. 'A gente' is informal.
Where would you most likely see: 'É vedado o acesso sem obter permissão prévia'?
The language is highly formal and restrictive, typical of high-security areas.
Estudante: 'Professor, eu obtive permissão ____ a reitoria para usar o laboratório.'
When indicating the source of the permission (the Rectory), we use 'de' + 'a' = 'da'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsYes, but it sounds formal. It's better to use 'pedir permissão' or 'deixar'.
'Autorização' is usually for a specific, often written, act. 'Permissão' is more general.
Yes, it follows the verb 'ter'. For example, 'eu obtive' (I obtained).
You can say 'Eu consegui permissão' or 'Eles me deixaram'.
It depends on the gender. 'De' + 'o' = 'do' (do diretor). 'De' + 'a' = 'da' (da diretora).
Yes, but usually the article is omitted in the general sense: 'obter permissão'.
Absolutely. It is the standard formal term in European Portuguese as well.
It is the official term for a residence permit for foreigners.
Yes, but 'obter' usually implies some effort or formal process, not just picking something up.
It would be 'ter a permissão negada' (to have permission denied).
Only in certain conjugations like 'ele obtém' or 'tu obténs'.
Yes, it is a very common legal collocation.
It's redundant. Just say 'obter permissão'.
Yes, 'permissão' is the noun form of the verb 'permitir'.
Related Phrases
conceder permissão
contrastTo grant permission
solicitar autorização
similarTo request authorization
dar o sinal verde
figurativeTo give the green light
ter licença
similarTo have license/permission
pedir vênia
specialized formTo ask for leave/permission (legal)
