Breakdown of Die zuständige Behörde prüft, ob wir die Erlaubnis haben, die Mauer zu bemalen.
haben
to have
wir
we
zu
to (infinitive marker)
ob
whether / if
prüfen
to check / to test
die Mauer
the wall (exterior, brick or stone)
die Erlaubnis
the permission
die Behörde
the authority
bemalen
to paint (a surface or object)
zuständig
responsible (in charge)
Questions & Answers about Die zuständige Behörde prüft, ob wir die Erlaubnis haben, die Mauer zu bemalen.
How does die Erlaubnis haben replace a modal verb in this sentence?
Die Erlaubnis haben (to have permission) is a formal noun-based alternative to the modal verb dürfen (to be allowed to). Instead of the standard phrasing ... ob wir die Mauer bemalen dürfen, the sentence uses the noun phrase die Erlaubnis haben followed by an infinitive clause with zu (die Mauer zu bemalen). This style is especially common in official or bureaucratic contexts.
Why is there a comma before die Mauer zu bemalen?
In German, extended infinitive clauses with zu must be separated by a comma when they depend on a specific noun in the preceding clause. Here, the infinitive clause describes the noun die Erlaubnis. The comma clarifies the sentence structure by clearly separating the ob clause from the zu clause.
Since ob forces the verb to the end, why doesn't the sentence end with haben?
The conjugated verb haben actually is at the end of its own subordinate clause (ob wir die Erlaubnis haben). The infinitive clause (die Mauer zu bemalen) is a separate grammatical block that gets added on after it. Putting the infinitive clause outside and after the main verb bracket is standard practice to keep the sentence readable.
Why use zuständig for "responsible" instead of verantwortlich?
Zuständig refers to official jurisdiction, competence, or having the assigned task to deal with something, which fits a government or administrative authority perfectly. Verantwortlich is used for moral or legal accountability, like being the person to blame if something goes wrong.
Does bemalen mean painting the wall a new color?
Not usually. Bemalen implies painting a picture, a pattern, or a design onto a surface (like painting a mural or graffiti). If you simply wanted to paint the wall a solid color, like giving it a fresh coat of white paint, you would use the verb streichen.
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