Quick answer
Deixar is the everyday “let” and has many leave meanings; permitir states authorization directly and more formally.
A reliable test is to identify the job of the word before translating from English.
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What each word does
deixar
to let or leave
Use deixar for everyday permission, noninterference, or leaving something in a state or place.
permitir
to permit or allow
Use permitir for explicit authorization, especially in neutral or formal language.
How to choose
- deixar: Choose deixar if the sentence points to everyday permission, noninterference, or leaving something in a state or place.
- permitir: Choose permitir if the sentence points to explicit authorization, especially in neutral or formal language.
Examples
Meus pais deixaram eu viajar.
My parents let me travel.
O regulamento não permite animais.
The rules do not allow animals.
Common trap
Because deixar is broader, deixei a porta aberta means “I left the door open,” not necessarily “I allowed the door to open.”
Practice it in context
Pick one sentence from your real life and write it twice: once with deixar, then once with permitir. If both versions feel possible, name the meaning shift.
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