Asking and Giving Permission with "mega"
To express permission, ask what is allowed, or state what you may do, use the modal verb mega (may / to be allowed to).
Mega is an irregular verb. Here is its present tense conjugation:
| Pronoun | Verb |
|---|---|
| ég | má |
| þú | mátt |
| hann/hún/það | má |
| við | megum |
| þið | megið |
| þeir/þær/þau | mega |
Unlike kunna, which requires the infinitive marker að, mega is followed directly by a bare infinitive. You simply pair the conjugated form of mega directly with the dictionary form of your main verb.
| May I smoke here? | Má ég reykja hérna? |
| Where may we park? | Hvar megum við leggja? |
| May the pet come inside? | Má gæludýrið koma inn? |
Refusing Permission and "bannað"
To say someone is not allowed to do something, place ekki immediately after the conjugated form of mega, before the bare infinitive.
| No, the rule is strict. You may not smoke. | Nei, reglan er ströng. Þú mátt ekki reykja. |
| Yes, but dad may not fish in the river. | Já, en pabbi má ekki veiða í ánni. |
Another common way to express that an action is not permitted is using the adjective bannaður (forbidden). When used in a general, impersonal statement like "It is forbidden to...", use the neuter form bannað followed by að and the infinitive verb.
| It is forbidden to smoke inside. | Það er bannað að reykja inni. |
| Is it forbidden to fish here? | Er bannað að veiða hérna? |