Spanish Phrase
En el contrato dice que no se permiten mascotas.
Meaning
This phrase literally translates to "In the contract it says that pets are not permitted." It's a common way to refer to rules or conditions stated in a formal document, often used when discussing rental agreements or other legal papers. The "se permiten" construction indicates a general prohibition.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need to state a rule or condition that is explicitly written in a contract or official document, especially when explaining why something is not allowed. It's frequently used in discussions about renting property, employment terms, or other agreements.
✦Grammar Breakdown
En el contratodice queno se permitenmascotas
En el contrato
This prepositional phrase means "in the contract" and sets the context for the rule being stated.
dice que
Literally "it says that," this is a common impersonal construction used to report what a document, sign, or general consensus states.
no se permiten
This is the impersonal "se" construction with the verb "permitir" (to permit/allow). It means "are not allowed" or "it is not permitted," without specifying who is doing the permitting.
mascotas
This is the plural noun for "pets." It's the subject of the impersonal "se permiten" clause.
🗨In Conversation
¿Quiero traer a mi perro, hay algún problema?
I want to bring my dog, is there a problem?
Sí, en el contrato dice que no se permiten mascotas.
Yes, the contract says that pets are not allowed.
✕Common Mistakes
El contrato dice que no permiten mascotas.
The impersonal "se" is crucial here to indicate that "pets are not permitted" by the contract itself, not by an unspecified group of people.
En el contrato dice que no son permitidas mascotas.
"Permitir" is typically used with "se" for impersonal prohibitions, not with "ser" + past participle in this context.
↔Alternatives
Según el contrato, no se admiten mascotas.
According to the contract, pets are not admitted.
El contrato prohíbe mascotas.
The contract prohibits pets.
No se permiten mascotas, está en el contrato.
Pets are not allowed, it's in the contract.
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish-speaking cultures, contracts are taken very seriously, and direct references to their clauses, like this phrase, are common and understood. While pets are increasingly common in urban settings, some landlords or building managements still have strict no-pet policies, making this a frequently encountered phrase in rental contexts.