Causative: Haben + Infinitive
The causative construction with haben plus an infinitive lets you show that you arrange for someone else to do something. It keeps the focus on the result rather than on doing the action yourself.
Haben + Infinitiv
Use haben in the appropriate tense followed by the infinitive of the action when you want to say that someone else does something for you. The person who does the work can be mentioned or left out.
Examples
| German Example | English Translation | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| ☕ Ich habe den Kellner kommen lassen. | I had the waiter come. | Cause someone to come to you. |
| 📝 Sie hat den Assistenten die Unterlagen vorbereiten lassen. | She had the assistant prepare the documents. | Delegating preparation. |
| 🔧 Wir haben den Mechaniker das Auto checken lassen. | We had the mechanic check the car. | Service request. |
| 📦 Er hat den Lieferanten extra früher schicken lassen. | He had the supplier send [it] extra early. | Advanced scheduling. |
| 🧹 Die Chefin hat das Personal die Fenster putzen lassen. | The boss had the staff clean the windows. | Ordering cleaning. |
Usage Notes
The causative with lassen sometimes focuses more on permission or on handing over the task, while haben is more neutral about arranging the action.
Vocabulary
| German Word(s) | English Word(s) |
|---|---|
| haben | to have (someone do something) |
| lassen | to let, to have (someone do something) |
| der Handwerker | craftsman, repairman |
| der Auftrag | job, order |
| erledigen | to take care of, to do |
| beauftragen | to commission, to hire |
| der Elektriker | electrician |
| der Termin | appointment |
| anrufen | to call |
| vereinbaren | to arrange |
| German | English |
|---|---|
| der Kellner | the waiter |
| der Assistent | the assistant |
| der Mechaniker | the mechanic |
| der Lieferant | the supplier |
| das Personal | the staff |
| vorbereiten | to prepare |
| checken | to check |
| schicken | to send |
| putzen | to clean |
| extra früher | extra early |
Summary
The causative construction with haben plus an infinitive is your go-to pattern for showing that you arrange for someone else to do an action. Use haben in the right tense followed by the infinitive to keep the focus on the result, and choose lassen if you want to emphasize permission or handing over the task.
Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025