The verb lassen in German

The Use of the Verb "lassen"

The verb "lassen" is unique and versatile in the German language. It can have various meanings and uses that are important to understand.

1. "lassen" as a Regular Verb

"Lassen" can be used to express stopping an activity or no longer doing something.

• Ich lasse das Spielen.
  (Ich höre auf zu spielen.)
  I stop playing.

2. "lassen" as an Auxiliary Verb

The use of "lassen" as an auxiliary verb occurs in several forms:

a. Leaving something somewhere

Here, "lassen" means leaving something somewhere without taking it with you. It is followed by an infinitive.

• Ich lasse das Handy auf dem Tisch.
  (Ich belasse das Handy auf dem Tisch.)
  I leave the phone on the table.

• Ich lasse die Fenster geschlossen.
  (Ich halte die Fenster geschlossen.)
  I keep the windows closed.

b. Allowing someone to do something

In this context, "lassen" means giving someone permission to do something. It is also followed by an infinitive.

• Ich lasse meinen Freund Fußball spielen.
  (Ich erlaube meinem Freund, Fußball zu spielen.)
  I let my friend play football.

c. Enabling something

In this use, "lassen sich" is used to express the possibility of something.

• Die Aufgabe lässt sich schnell erledigen.
  (Die Aufgabe kann schnell erledigt werden.)
  The task can be completed quickly.

d. Having something done by someone else

In this case, "lassen" expresses that someone does something for another person.

• Ich lasse mein Zimmer putzen.
  (Ich lasse jemand anderes mein Zimmer putzen.)
  I have my room cleaned.

• Ich lasse mir ein neues Handy kaufen.
  (Jemand kauft mir ein neues Handy.)
  I have someone buy me a new phone.

3. Conjugation of "lassen"

• In active sentences in the perfect, we use „gelassen“.
  Ich habe das Buch gelassen. (I have left the book.)
• In passive sentences in the perfect, we use „lassen“.
  Das Auto hat sich reparieren lassen. (The car could be repaired.)