Translation of German word "lassen" to English
lassen
/ˈlasn̩/
Meaning
VerbTo allow to, not to prevent.
How to use
The strong verb lassen ('to let / leave / allow / have something done') is highly irregular: lässt, ließ, hat gelassen. It has three main uses: (1) To leave an object somewhere (Ich lasse den Schlüssel zu Hause). (2) To allow or let someone do something (Lass mich gehen — Let me go). (3) Causative: to have something done by someone else (requires double infinitive in Perfekt: Ich habe meine Haare schneiden lassen — I had my hair cut).
🇬🇧 English
to let
Example
Nachdem er stundenlang geklopft hatte, beschloss ich, ihn hereinzulassen.
After hours of knocking, I decided to let him in.
Die Ärzte ließen etwa einen halben Liter Blut ab, aber ohne Erfolg.
Doctors drained about half a liter of blood, but to no avail.
Your personal vocabulary
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Common phrases
- sich die Haare schneiden lassen— to get a haircut / have hair cut (requires reflexive)
- Lass uns gehen!— Let's go!
- in Ruhe lassen— to leave in peace / leave alone (requires accusative)
More Core Verbs words
This concept in other languages
📖 Related grammar
🦊 Conjugation of the verb "lassen"Full conjugation →
Present Tense (Präsens)
Simple Past (Präteritum)
Perfect (Perfekt)
ich habe gelassen
Imperative (Imperativ)
Frequency rank: #204 in German
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the definition of the German word "lassen"?▼
The German word "lassen" is defined as: "To allow to, not to prevent."
What does the German word "lassen" mean?▼
The German word "lassen" means "to let" in English.
How do you pronounce the German word "lassen"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "lassen" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "lassen"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Nachdem er stundenlang geklopft hatte, beschloss ich, ihn hereinzulassen." (which translates as "After hours of knocking, I decided to let him in.").
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