📖 Explanation: “lassen” + Infinitive Constructions
The verb lassen is one of the most versatile in German. When used with another infinitive, it has several meanings depending on context:
- Causative (let someone do something / have something done): Someone arranges for another person to do the action. Ich lasse das Auto reparieren. = I’m having the car repaired (by a mechanic).
- Permissive (let/allow someone to do something): Give permission. Lass mich in Ruhe! = Leave me alone! / Let me be!
- Suggestion / Proposal (especially with wir): Lassen wir das! = Let’s leave it! / Let’s drop it!
- Reflexive “sich lassen”: Express possibility or feasibility. Das lässt sich machen. = That’s doable / It can be done.
- Passive-like with inanimate subjects: Similar to causative. Das lässt sich nicht ändern. = That can’t be changed.
Important: In these constructions, lassen is conjugated, the other infinitive stands at the end (no “zu”), and in Perfekt: haben + infinitive + lassen (not gelassen).
📋 Table 1: Causative “lassen” (have something done)
| Subject (who arranges) | lassen Form | Object (what is done) | Infinitive | Agent (who does it – optional, von + Dat.) | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ich | lasse | das Auto | reparieren | (vom Mechaniker) | Ich lasse das Auto reparieren. | I’m having the car repaired. |
| du | lässt | die Haare | schneiden | (vom Friseur) | Du lässt dir die Haare schneiden. | You’re having your hair cut. |
| er/sie/es | lässt | das Haus | bauen | — | Er lässt ein Haus bauen. | He’s having a house built. |
| wir | lassen | den Garten | pflegen | (vom Gärtner) | Wir lassen den Garten pflegen. | We’re having the garden tended. |
📋 Table 2: Permissive “lassen” (let/allow)
| Example | Translation | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Lass mich das machen! | Let me do that! | Command / request |
| Die Eltern lassen die Kinder fernsehen. | The parents let the children watch TV. | Permission |
| Er lässt den Hund laufen. | He lets the dog run. | Allow action |
| Lasst uns gehen! | Let’s go! | Proposal (wir-form) |
📋 Table 3: “sich lassen” (can be done / is possible)
| Example | Translation | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Das lässt sich leicht machen. | That’s easy to do / It can be done easily. | Feasibility |
| Das Problem lässt sich nicht lösen. | The problem can’t be solved. | Impossibility |
| Der Kuchen lässt sich gut essen. | The cake is delicious (tastes good). | Quality / experience |
| Das lässt sich hören! | That sounds good! / I’m okay with that! | Idiomatic approval |
📋 Table 4: Tense Forms (Causative Example: das Auto reparieren lassen)
| Tense | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Present | Ich lasse das Auto reparieren. | I’m having the car repaired. |
| Präteritum | Ich ließ das Auto reparieren. | I had the car repaired. |
| Perfekt | Ich habe das Auto reparieren lassen. | I have had the car repaired. |
| Plusquamperfekt | Ich hatte das Auto reparieren lassen. | I had had the car repaired. |
| Future I | Ich werde das Auto reparieren lassen. | I’ll have the car repaired. |
| Konjunktiv II | Ich würde das Auto reparieren lassen. | I would have the car repaired. |
🔑 Rules and Tips
- Word order: lassen (conjugated) early, main infinitive at the end (no “zu”).
- Perfekt: Always haben + main infinitive + lassen (reparieren lassen, not gelassen).
- Reflexive causative: When the action is done to oneself → sich lassen + infinitive (Ich lasse mir die Haare schneiden. = I’m having my hair cut.)
- No passive needed: Causative lassen often replaces passive for services (Ich lasse das Auto waschen. instead of Das Auto wird gewaschen.).
- Common verbs with lassen: reparieren, machen, bauen, schneiden, waschen, putzen, kontrollieren, übersetzen.
- Common mistake: Wrong Perfekt (Ich habe gelassen reparieren wrong → Ich habe reparieren lassen).
- Idiomatic: Lass es! = Drop it! / Forget it!
More examples:
- Lass uns ins Kino gehen! (Let’s go to the cinema!)
- Ich lasse mir einen neuen Pass machen. (I’m getting a new passport made.)
- Das lässt sich nicht ändern. (That can’t be changed / It is what it is.)
- Er ließ den Brief übersetzen. (He had the letter translated.)
“lassen” constructions are super useful for talking about services, permissions, and possibilities – practice with everyday situations like haircuts, repairs, or plans!