Questions & Answers about Dozvolite mi da uđem.
What does dozvolite mean, and what form is it?
Dozvolite is the imperative form of dozvoliti, which means to allow, to permit.
In this sentence, dozvolite is used:
- to more than one person, or
- to one person formally/politely
So it is the equivalent of a polite allow... or please permit...
Related forms:
- dozvoli = singular informal, used with one person you address as ti
- dozvolite = plural or formal, used with vi
Why is it mi and not mene?
Because dozvoliti takes the person who receives permission in the dative case.
So:
- mi = to me
- mene = me in other functions, usually accusative or genitive
In Serbian, you allow something to someone, so the pattern is:
- dozvoliti nekome da... = to allow someone to...
That is why Dozvolite mi da uđem is correct.
Compare:
- Pustite me da uđem = Let me in
Here me is accusative, so Serbian uses me, not mi
What is the role of da here?