Mastering 'Lassen' in German: Usage, Rules, and Examples

The German verb 'lassen' is a versatile and powerful word that appears frequently in daily conversations. It can mean "to let," "to allow," "to leave," or even "to have something done."

Understanding 'lassen' is essential for expressing requests, giving permissions, or describing actions performed by others. In this guide, we'll break down its different meanings, sentence structures, and practical usage with plenty of examples.

At its core, 'lassen' generally means "to let" or "to allow." However, its meaning changes depending on the sentence structure and context.

When 'lassen' is used to indicate permission, the structure is as follows:

Sentence Structure:

Subject + lassen (conjugated) + Object (if applicable) + Infinitive verb

Examples:

• Er lässt die Kinder im Park spielen. → He lets the children play in the park.
• Wir lassen die Tür offen. → We leave the door open.
• Meine Eltern lassen mich lange aufbleiben. → My parents let me stay up late.

'Lassen' is also commonly used to express having something done (causative construction). This is equivalent to "to have something done" or "to get something done" in English.

Sentence Structure:

Subject + lassen (conjugated) + Object + Action Verb (Infinitive)

Examples:

• Ich lasse mein Auto waschen. → I have my car washed.
• Sie lässt sich die Haare schneiden. → She is having her hair cut.
• Wir lassen das Essen aufs Zimmer bringen. → We have the food brought to the room.

🔹 Tip: In these sentences, someone else is performing the action on behalf of the subject.

'Lassen' can also mean "to leave something behind."

Examples:

• Ich lasse meine Tasche im Auto. → I leave my bag in the car.
• Er hat sein Handy zu Hause gelassen. → He left his phone at home.
• Lass das Fenster offen. → Leave the window open.

The imperative form of 'lassen' is often used to give commands, invitations, or polite requests.

Examples:

• Lass mich schlafen! → Let me sleep!
• Lasst uns gehen! → Let's go!
• Lassen Sie mich wissen, wenn Sie Hilfe brauchen. → Let me know if you need help.

🔹 Tip: 'Lassen Sie' is the formal version, while 'Lass' (du-form) and 'Lasst' (ihr-form) are informal.

When combined with a reflexive pronoun (sich lassen), the verb can express something that "can be done."

Examples:

• Das lässt sich machen. → That can be done.
• Die Tür lässt sich nicht öffnen. → The door cannot be opened.
• Es lässt sich nicht vermeiden. → It cannot be avoided.

Many learners confuse 'lassen' with verbs like "verlassen" (to leave) or "bleiben" (to stay). Here's a comparison:

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of 'lassen':

1. Ich ___ mein Fahrrad reparieren. _(I have my bike repaired.)_
2. Er ___ seine Tasche im Auto. _(He leaves his bag in the car.)_
3. Meine Eltern ___ mich lange schlafen. _(My parents let me sleep late.)_
4. Wir ___ unser Hotelzimmer putzen. _(We have our hotel room cleaned.)_
5. ___ uns ins Kino gehen! _(Let's go to the cinema!)_

Check the answers at the end of this post.

'Lassen' is one of the most useful verbs in German, allowing speakers to express permission, causation, and leaving something behind in a natural way. By mastering these structures and practicing with real-life examples, you'll greatly improve your German fluency.

✅ Next Steps:

• Try using 'lassen' in your own sentences.
• Practice speaking with a language partner.
• Keep an eye out for 'lassen' in books, movies, and conversations.

💡 Did this guide help you? Leave a comment with a sentence using 'lassen'!