Deutsch — the verb lassen
lassen is one of the most versatile German verbs. On its own it means to leave (something somewhere), but with a second verb in the infinitive it means either to allow (someone to do something) or to have/get something done. The reflexive sich lassen works as a passive substitute (can be done), and in the Perfekt lassen forms a double infinitive: er hat das Auto reparieren lassen.
How it works
lassen + accusative object + bare infinitive. The meaning is allow when the subject permits (Sie lässt die Kinder spielen — she lets the children play) and causative have done when the subject arranges for someone else to act (Ich lasse mir die Haare schneiden — I get my hair cut). The infinitive goes to the very end; lassen itself is conjugated: ich lasse, du lässt, er lässt.
Examples
| German example | Use / meaning |
|---|---|
| Ich lasse den Schlüssel zu Hause. | leave (something somewhere) — lassen alone, no second verb |
| Meine Eltern lassen mich abends ausgehen. | allow / let — the subject permits the action |
| Wir lassen das Auto reparieren. | have done — the subject arranges for someone else to do it |
| Lass mich in Ruhe! | leave alone — fixed imperative expression |
| Das Fenster lässt sich nicht öffnen. | passive substitute — sich lassen = can(not) be done |
| Sie hat sich ein Kleid nähen lassen. | Perfekt with double infinitive — hat + … + nähen lassen (not gelassen) |
Good to know
In the Perfekt with a second verb, never say gelassen: the double infinitive rule replaces the participle, so it is Ich habe das Auto reparieren lassen, not habe … reparieren gelassen. The past participle gelassen is used only when lassen stands alone: Ich habe den Schlüssel zu Hause gelassen. Also don't confuse the causative Ich lasse mir die Haare schneiden (someone cuts them for me) with Ich schneide mir die Haare (I cut them myself).