In German, the verbs verlassen and gehen both relate to departure but express very different nuances. Verlassen conveys a sense of leaving behind, often with emotional or relational implications, and is used when someone leaves a person, place, or situation in a way that’s more permanent or impactful. Gehen, on the other hand, is a straightforward, everyday verb meaning “to go,” focusing on the act of moving from one place to another. Understanding when to use each verb is key to mastering subtle distinctions in German.
- verlassen: to leave behind, exit decisively, or abandon (with emotional/relational weight).
- gehen: to go, walk, or move along (regular, neutral usage).
- verlassen is for main actions, so it needs subject-object matching; gehen is intransitive and requires just a subject.
- Context and meaning clues help you choose: use verlassen for “leaving something/someone behind,” and gehen for “going” or “walking.”
Verlassen: Leaving Behind, Departing for Good
Verlassen is a transitive verb meaning to leave someone or something behind, often with a sense of finality, separation, or abandonment. Because it’s transitive, it requires a direct object—something or someone must be “left.” This verb is commonly used in emotional or serious contexts, such as leaving a partner, a job, or a home.
- Verlassen requires a direct object: you leave someone or something (etwas/jemanden verlassen).
- Carries a heavier, more permanent or emotional tone than simple “leaving”.
Conjugation of Verlassen (Present Tense)
| Person | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| ich | verlasse |
| du | verlässt* |
| er/sie/es | verlässt |
| wir | verlassen |
| ihr | verlasst |
| sie/Sie | verlassen |
Note: The stem changes to “verlass-” for most forms, but the “ss” becomes “ß” after du, er/sie/es: du verlässt, er/sie/es verlässt*.
Examples with Verlassen
- Ich verlasse die Firma.
I am leaving the company.
(You’re not just walking out; you’re ending your relationship with the company.)
- Sie verlässt ihren Mann.
She is leaving her husband.
(An emotional/relational departure—not just going away.)
- Wir verlassen das Haus um acht Uhr.
We leave the house at eight o’clock.
(You’re departing from the house, not just passing by it.)
Verlassen is used for leaving someone or something behind.
'Verlassen' is used for leaving someone or something in a significant way—like leaving a spouse, a job, or a home.
'Verlassen' needs a direct object such as a person or place (e.g., ich verlasse die Stadt).
Gehen: To Go, To Walk (Focus on the Action of Moving)
Gehen is an intransitive verb meaning “to go” or “to walk.” It’s used for the act of moving or going somewhere and doesn’t take a direct object. Instead, you often add a prepositional phrase or adverb to show where someone is going.
- Gehen does not take a direct object (intransitive).
- Focuses on the movement itself, not on leaving something behind.
- Common for everyday situations involving motion.
Conjugation of Gehen (Present Tense)
| Person | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| ich | gehe |
| du | gehst |
| er/sie/es | geht |
| wir | gehen |
| ihr | geht |
| sie/Sie | gehen |
Examples with Gehen
- Ich gehe zur Schule.
I go to school.
(You’re moving toward school, not leaving anything behind.)
- Wir gehen nach Hause.
We are going home.
(You’re focusing on where you’re going, not what you’re leaving.)
- Er geht jeden Tag spazieren.
He goes for a walk every day.
'Gehen' is intransitive and cannot be used with a direct object.
'Gehen' is used when emphasizing the act of moving or going, not for leaving someone behind.
Summary
| Verb | Meaning | Transitive? | Typical Context | Requires Object? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| verlassen | to leave (someone/something behind), to abandon | Yes | Emotional or decisive leaving | Yes |
| gehen | to go, to walk | No | Moving from one place to another | No |
Conclusion
Verlassen and gehen express different kinds of departure: verlassen for leaving someone/something behind (often emotionally charged), gehen for simply moving or going. Using them correctly sharpens your German and helps you express exactly what kind of “leaving” you mean.
- verlassen = to leave behind (with impact), needs object
- gehen = to go/walk, focuses on movement, no direct object
- Choose verlassen for serious/emotional departures, gehen for everyday movement