lassen is a highly versatile German verb meaning "to let," "to allow," or "to have (something) done." It is used to express permission, causation, or the idea of leaving something as is. Because of its multiple uses, lassen appears in many common and important constructions in German.
- Core meanings: to let, to allow, to have (something done), to leave (something as is)
- Used for permission, causation, omission
- One of the most frequently used verbs in German
*lassen* can mean 'to let,' 'to allow,' or 'to have (something) done.'
Conjugation of lassen
lassen is an irregular verb. Here is its present tense conjugation:
| Person | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| ich | lasse |
| du | lässt |
| er/sie/es | lässt |
| wir | lassen |
| ihr | lasst |
| sie/Sie | lassen |
- Present tense: ich lasse, du lässt, er/sie/es lässt, wir lassen, ihr lasst, sie/Sie lassen
- Stem changes: lass- becomes lässt for du/er/sie/es
In du and er/sie/es forms, *lassen* changes from 'a' to 'ä': du lässt, er lässt.
Use 1: To Let / To Allow
When lassen means "to let" or "to allow," it is used to give permission or allow something to happen.
- Subject + lassen + object + infinitive (for "to let [someone] do [something]")
- Can also be lassen + noun for "to allow [something]"
Examples
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Ich lasse dich gehen. | I let you go. |
| Sie lässt ihre Kinder spielen. | She lets her children play. |
| Wir lassen das Auto reparieren. | We let (have) the car fixed. |
Ich lasse dich das tun.
Subject + lassen + [person] + infinitive
Use 2: To Have (Something) Done (Causative)
lassen is often used to say that you cause something to be done by someone else—similar to the English "have [something] done."
- Subject + lassen + object + infinitive (with the thing to be done)
Examples
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Ich lasse mein Auto waschen. | I have my car washed. |
| Sie lassen das Haus renovieren. | They have the house renovated. |
'Wir lassen unsere Dokumente übersetzen.' is correct, because 'übersetzen' (to translate) is the infinitive for the action being done.
Subject + lassen + object + infinitive
Use 3: To Leave (Something) As Is
lassen can also mean "to leave (something) [in a certain state]"—to not change or to leave alone.
- lassen + object + adjective/noun (to leave something [adj./noun])
- lassen + object + sein (to leave something as is)
Examples
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Lass das Licht an! | Leave the light on! |
| Lass den Computer aus. | Leave the computer off. |
| Ich lasse mein Essen kalt. | I leave my food cold. |
Lass die Tür offen.
lassen + object + adjective
Use 4: Expressions & Idioms
lassen appears in many fixed expressions, often meaning "to stop" or "to quit," and in idiomatic uses.
- etwas sein lassen = to stop doing something
- sich etwas gefallen lassen = to tolerate something
Examples
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Ich lasse das Rauchen sein. | I quit smoking. |
| Er lässt sich das nicht gefallen. | He doesn't tolerate that. |
'Ich lasse das Rauchen sein' means 'I quit smoking.'
To say 'to quit (doing something)', use '*etwas* sein lassen' with *lassen*.
Conclusion
lassen is a crucial and flexible German verb used to express letting/allowing, causing something to be done, leaving something as is, and various idiomatic meanings.
- Core meanings: to let/allow, to have something done, to leave as is
- Important in both everyday speech and formal contexts
- Mastering lassen opens up understanding for causative and permission-related structures