The Verb “lassen”

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This page talks about when and how to use the verb „lassen“, including its conjugation and what constructions it's used in.

„Lassen“ - General Info

The verb „lassen“ is a special verb that can be used both as a main verb and as a modal verb (along with a second verb in the infinitive form).  The meaning of „lassen“ changes depending on the use.

„Sich lassen“ in the third person is also an alternative way of expressing the passive voice.

Uses of „lassen“

As Main Verb

Meaning "to stop" or "to quit"

  • „Ich lasse das Rauchen.“
    (= Ich höre auf zu rauchen. / Ich rauche nicht mehr.)
  • Lasst Papa in Ruhe.“
    (= in Ruhe lassen = nicht stören ⇒ Hört auf Papa zu stören.)

As Auxiliary Verb

 Meaning "to not bring with" or "to not move something"

  • „Ich lasse mein Auto in der Garage stehen.“
    (= Das Auto bleibt zu Hause in der Garage stehen.)
  • „Ich lasse mein Handy zu Hause liegen.“
    (= Ich nehme das Handy nicht mit.)

In this use „lassen“ is combined with verbs that describe a state: stehen, liegen, sitzen,...

Interesting Fact:

We often drop the 2nd verb because it’s obvious or universally known. If you do that, you have to treat „Lassen“ like a main verb.

  •  „Ich lasse mein Handy zu Hause (liegen).“

Meaning "to allow something"

  • „Ich lasse meinen Sohn Abends fernsehen.“
    (= Ich erlaube meinem Sohn, abends fernzusehen.)
  • „Er lässt seine Tochter mit dem Auto fahren.“
    (= Er erlaubt seiner Tochter, das Auto zu benutzen.)

Meaning "something is possible / not possible"

  • „Pizza lässt sich ganz leicht selbst machen.“
    (= Pizza kann man ganz leicht selbst machen.)
  • „Der Fernseher lässt sich nicht reparieren.“
    (= Man kann den Fernseher nicht reparieren.)

Meaning "to arrange for something to be done" (instead of doing it yourself). It's a replacement for the passive.

  • „Ich lasse mein Fahrrad reparieren.“
    (= Jemand anderes repariert das Fahrrad für mich.)
  • „Ich lasse mir eine Pizza bringen.“
    (= Ich bestelle mir eine Pizza und jemand bringt sie mir.)

Remember:

The most common use of „lassen“ as helping verb is a alternative way of expressing the passive voice.

  • „Meine Freundin lässt sich die Haare scheiden.“ „Die Haare (meiner Freundin) werden geschnitten.“

The difference is that the first sentence stresses the fact that someone else is doing it (cutting her hair), while the second sentence focus on the action itself (the hair being cut).

More examples:

  • „Mein Vater lässt sich morgen operieren.“
    (= Mein Vater wird morgen operiert.) ⇒ Er hat das veranlasst.
  • „Das Problem lässt sich einfach lösen.“
    (= Das Problem kann einfach gelöst werden.)  ⇒ Es ist möglich, das Problem einfach zu lösen.

Conjugating „lassen“

conjugating lassen

„lassen“ or „gelassen“?

When do we use „lassen“ and „gelassen“?

lassen or gelassen

Recommendation: Modal Verbs & Partizip 2 (Past Participle)

If you are still not sure what a Modal verb or Partizip 2 is, or how to use them, I recommend the lessons: Modal Verbs and Partizip 2 (Past Participle).

Word Order

lassen word order

If „lassen“ is the main verb, it goes in the regular position of the verb (position 2 for normal sentences, position 1 for yes/no-questions). If „lassen“ is used as a helping verb, it follows the normal rules of Modal Verbs.

„Lassen“ is not a real modal verb because it has its own meaning and can be used without a second verb in the sentence. True modal verbs always require a second verb and have no proper meaning by themselves!

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