Das Verb lassen
Verb lassen — for English Speakers
Introduction
The German verb 'lassen' is a Swiss army knife — it means 'to let', 'to leave', and 'to have something done'. English splits these into separate expressions: 'Let me go', 'Leave it there', 'I'll have it repaired'. German uses 'lassen' + infinitive for all three. The causative meaning ('have something done') is especially useful and tricky because English requires a completely different construction.
German vs English
In German
Lass mich in Ruhe! (Let me alone!)
In English
Leave me alone! / Let me be!
Key Difference
Both express the same idea — lassen here means 'to let' or 'to leave', very intuitive.
In German
Ich lasse mein Auto reparieren. (I have my car repaired)
In English
I'm having my car repaired.
Key Difference
German uses lassen + infinitive; English uses 'have + object + past participle'.
Common Mistakes for English Speakers
Ich habe mein Auto reparieren. (trying to say 'I have it repaired')
Translating 'have done' literally — German uses 'lassen', not 'haben', for causative meaning.
Lasse ich gehen!
Wrong word order for imperative — 'lass' is the du-imperative, followed by the accusative pronoun.
Practice Examples
Ich lasse mir die Haare schneiden.
I'm having my hair cut.
Lass uns ins Kino gehen!
Let's go to the cinema!
Er lässt seine Kinder im Park spielen.
He lets his children play in the park.
Memory Tip
LASSEN = LET + LEAVE + HAVE DONE — one verb to rule them all. If someone else does it for you, use lassen.
View Grammar Rule
Das Verb lassen
Verb lassen — B1
Practice Exercises
Das Verb lassen Übungen
8 exercises
Other Languages
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