In this workshop you will practice polite permission questions in Spanish. You will learn how to ask if you may do something, how to understand a simple yes answer, and how to keep the conversation moving with a thank-you and a follow-up question. The practice uses short, realistic exchanges so you can speak with confidence from the first line.
Asking a Simple Permission Question
A polite permission question lets you check before you do something. In Spanish, a common pattern is a short question that starts with a polite request. For example, «¿Puedo abrir la ventana?» means “May I open the window?” You can use the same pattern for other everyday actions. «¿Puedo pasar?» means “May I come in?” or “May I go through?” depending on the situation. «¿Puedo sentarme aquí?» means “May I sit here?” These questions are useful in offices, waiting rooms, and classrooms. When you ask, keep your voice calm and friendly. A simple yes answer is often enough to continue.
Understanding a Yes Answer and Continuing
After you ask permission, listen for a short yes answer. In a typical exchange, one person asks and the other person answers. For example, «Buenos días, ¿puedo pasar?» means “Good morning, may I come in?” and «Sí, claro. Pase, por favor.» means “Yes, of course. Come in, please.” The answer gives permission and adds a polite invitation. Then you can thank the person and ask a second permission question. «Gracias. ¿Puedo sentarme aquí?» means “Thank you. May I sit here?” and «Sí, siéntese. ¿Me permite su identificación?» means “Yes, have a seat. May I have your ID?” Notice that the second speaker can also ask for something. In this case, the request is for an ID. You do not need to invent a new answer; you can respond politely and continue the exchange.
Keeping Roles and Order Clear
In a permission exchange, the order matters. First, one person asks a question. Second, the other person answers. Third, the first person may thank the other and ask a follow-up question. Fourth, the other person may answer or make a new request. When you practice with a partner, decide who is A and who is B. A asks the first permission question. B gives the yes answer. A thanks B and asks a second permission question. B answers or asks for something. If you swap roles, you change who reads each part, but you do not change the order of the conversation. The question still comes before the answer, and the thank-you still comes before the follow-up question.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
¿Puedo abrir la ventana?
May I open the window?
PWEH-doh ah-BREER lah ben-TAH-nah
¿Puedo pasar?
May I come in? / May I go through?
PWEH-doh pah-SAHR
¿Puedo sentarme aquí?
May I sit here?
PWEH-doh sen-TAR-meh ah-KEE
¿Me permite usar su teléfono?
May I use your phone?
meh per-MEE-teh oo-SAHR soo teh-LEH-foh-noh
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Buenos días, ¿puedo pasar?
Good morning, may I come in?Sí, claro. Pase, por favor.
Yes, of course. Come in, please.Gracias. ¿Puedo sentarme aquí?
Thank you. May I sit here?Sí, siéntese. ¿Me permite su identificación?
Yes, have a seat. May I have your ID?Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Permission Exchange
You are at an office door in the morning. You want to enter and then sit down. Your partner plays the person inside.
Your task: Read the exchange aloud with a partner. A says «Buenos días, ¿puedo pasar?». B says «Sí, claro. Pase, por favor.». A says «Gracias. ¿Puedo sentarme aquí?». B says «Sí, siéntese. ¿Me permite su identificación?». Then switch roles and read it again. Keep the same order: question, answer, thank-you plus question, answer or request.
Choose the Right Reply
You hear someone ask a permission question. You need to choose a suitable reply from the lines you have practiced.
Your task: Read the question «Buenos días, ¿puedo pasar?». Which reply fits: «Sí, claro. Pase, por favor.» or «Sí, siéntese. ¿Me permite su identificación?»? Say your choice aloud. Then read the question «Gracias. ¿Puedo sentarme aquí?». Which reply fits: «Sí, claro. Pase, por favor.» or «Sí, siéntese. ¿Me permite su identificación?»? Say your choice aloud.
Recall and Role Swap
You are practicing without looking at the lines. You will recall the exchange and then swap roles.
Your task: With a partner, recall the four-line exchange from memory. A asks to come in, B answers, A thanks and asks to sit, B answers and asks for an ID. Use the lines you practiced. Then swap roles and repeat the same order.
Common questions
Can I practice these permission questions alone?
Yes. You can listen to the audio and read the other role aloud, or read both parts aloud. Use the success criteria and the answer key in each exercise to check yourself.
What should I listen for in a yes answer?
Listen for a short, clear yes and a polite invitation or instruction. For example, «Sí, claro. Pase, por favor.» gives permission and invites you in. «Sí, siéntese. ¿Me permite su identificación?» gives permission to sit and then asks for an ID.
Sources and further reading
- spanish: asking permission may iChecked September 2026
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