verb
to approve, to authorize
B1
'genehmigen' means 'to approve' or 'to authorize'. It's a regular weak verb using haben for perfect tenses. Typical uses: etwas genehmigen (to approve something) or jemandem etwas genehmigen (grant someone something): person often dative. Not reflexive, not separable; past participle 'genehmigt'.
Examples
Der Chef hat meinen Urlaub genehmigt.
The boss authorized my time off.
Die Behörde genehmigte den Bau.
The authority approved the construction.
Der Chef genehmigt meinen Urlaub.
The boss approves my vacation.
Details
Mnemonics
Imagine a stamp with the word 'APPROVED' being hit down when paperwork is genehmigt.
Sounds like 'gee-NEIGH-mi-gen' — hear 'neigh' as a stamp of approval from a horse.
Notes
Formal verb commonly used in administrative and bureaucratic contexts. Past participle 'genehmigt' is used in perfect and passive constructions.