lassen
to let, allow · to have something done, to cause something to be done · to leave (something somewhere or in a state) · to stop doing something, to quit
Lassen means 'to let' or 'to leave'. It is used to say that you allow something, have something done, or stop doing something. Germans use it very often in everyday speech, especially in phrases like 'lass uns' (let's) and 'lass mich' (let me).
What lassen means
- to let, allow — when you permit someone to do something
- to have something done, to cause something to be done — when you arrange for someone else to do something for you
- to leave (something somewhere or in a state) — when you don't change the position or condition of something
- to stop doing something, to quit — in phrases like 'lass das' (stop that) or 'lass es' (leave it)
Heard in real German videos
Lines where lassen was actually spoken, from German videos watched with DeutschChat.
- Lass das Boot los.Let go of the boat.
- Hey, Blue, lass uns wippen.Hey, Blue, let's seesaw.
Example sentences
- Ich lasse dich nicht allein.I won't leave you alone.
- Lass uns morgen ins Kino gehen.Let's go to the cinema tomorrow.
- Er lässt sein Auto reparieren.He is having his car repaired.
- Lass das! Das ist gefährlich.Stop that! It's dangerous.
Grammar
| Present (ich/du/er) | lasse/lässt/lässt |
|---|---|
| Simple past | ließ |
| Perfect | hat gelassen |
| Separable | no |
| Case it takes | accusative (for the person/thing being allowed or left) |
When used with another verb, the second verb is in the infinitive and comes at the end of the clause.
Common phrases
- lass unslet's
- lass michlet me
- lass dasstop that
- sich treiben lassento let oneself drift
- etwas machen lassento have something done
The mistake English speakers make
English speakers often say 'Ich lasse dich gehen' when they mean 'I let you go' (past tense). In German, the past tense is 'Ich ließ dich gehen' or 'Ich habe dich gehen lassen'.
Don’t confuse it with
- verlassen — Verlassen means 'to leave' a place or person, while lassen means 'to let' or 'to leave' something in a state.
Questions learners ask
How do you say 'let's go' in German?
You say 'Lass uns gehen' or more commonly 'Los geht's'.
What is the difference between 'lassen' and 'verlassen'?
'Lassen' means 'to let' or 'to leave something in a state', while 'verlassen' means 'to leave a place or person'.
How do you form the past tense of 'lassen'?
The simple past is 'ließ' and the perfect is 'hat gelassen'.