Diese Lektion erklärt das Verb "lassen" und seine verschiedenen Bedeutungen: Vorschlag (z. B. "Lass uns die Giraffen beobachten!"), Befehl ("Lass das!"), das Belassen von Dingen ("Ich lasse mein Auto stehen") und das Aufhören von Gewohnheiten ("Ich lasse das Rauchen").
Formel (Formula)Bedeutung (Meaning)Beispiele (Examples)
lass + uns + InfinitivVorschlag (Suggestion)Lass uns die Giraffen beobachten! (Let's watch the giraffes!)
Lass uns die Elefanten füttern. (Let's feed the elephants.)
etwas lassen (Imperativ)Befehl (Command)Lass das bitte! (Please stop that!)
Lass mich in Ruhe! (Leave me alone!)
jemanden / etwas + lassenEtwas nicht verändern / so belassen (To leave something unchanged / to leave as is)Wir lassen das Auto in der Garage stehen. (We leave the car in the garage.)
Ich lasse meine Tasche im Büro. (I leave my bag in the office.)
lassen + Substantiviertes VerbMit etwas aufhören / eine Gewohnheit aufgeben (To stop doing something / to give up a habit)Ich lasse das Rauchen. (I am quitting smoking.)
Er hat das Trinken gelassen. (He has stopped drinking.)

Exercise 1: Das Verb 'lassen'

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

Ich lasse, Lass, Wir lassen, lass, Lass uns

1. Befehl:
... das Auto da stehen!
(Lass das Auto da stehen!)
2. Vorschlag:
... den Film heute Abend anschauen.
(Lass uns den Film heute Abend anschauen.)
3. Befehl:
... den Hund nicht alleine im Garten!
(Lass den Hund nicht alleine im Garten!)
4. Vorschlag:
... das Buch auf dem Tisch liegen!
(Lass das Buch auf dem Tisch liegen!)
5. Aufhören:
... zusammen das Rauchen.
(Wir lassen zusammen das Rauchen.)
6. Vorschlag:
... zusammen ein Konzert besuchen.
(Lass uns zusammen ein Konzert besuchen.)
7. Vorschlag, Befehl:
... das Museum besuchen, aber ... das Handy bitte aus!
(Lass uns das Museum besuchen, aber lass das Handy bitte aus!)
8. Belassen:
... dich jetzt in Ruhe.
(Ich lasse dich jetzt in Ruhe.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct use of the verb 'lassen' in each sentence. Pay attention to common mistakes in grammar and sentence structure.

1.
Missing imperative form of 'lassen' for 'du': it must be 'Lass'.
Incorrect sentence structure: 'die wir' is ungrammatical in this context.
2.
Incorrect word order; the infinitive object should be at the end of the sentence.
The word order is unnatural and confusing; 'for the security check' should be at the end of the sentence.
3.
Incorrect participle form and word order; the infinitive is required here.
The infinitive is incorrect; it should be 'stehen' (to stand/park), not 'stehe'.
4.
Unnatural and incorrect sentence structure caused by adding 'gehen wir'.
Wrong infinitive placement and word order; 'die Giraffen füttern gehen' (go feed the giraffes) is correct.

Understanding the German Verb lassen

This lesson focuses on the versatile German verb lassen, which is commonly used in everyday conversation to express suggestions, commands, and the idea of leaving things as they are. By mastering lassen, you will be able to communicate various nuances such as inviting someone to do something together, giving polite commands, and indicating habits or actions that are stopped.

Key Uses of lassen

  • Making Suggestions: The phrase lass uns + infinitive is used to propose an activity together. Examples include:
    Lass uns die Giraffen beobachten! (Let's watch the giraffes!)
    Lass uns die Elefanten füttern. (Let's feed the elephants.)
  • Giving Commands or Requests: Using etwas lassen in the imperative form expresses a command or request, such as:
    Lass das bitte! (Please stop that!)
    Lass mich in Ruhe! (Leave me alone!)
  • Leaving Something As Is: The construction jemanden/etwas + lassen implies leaving a person or object in a particular state or place. For example:
    Wir lassen das Auto in der Garage stehen. (We leave the car standing in the garage.)
    Ich lasse meine Tasche im Büro. (I leave my bag in the office.)
  • Giving Up or Stopping a Habit: When paired with a nominalized verb, lassen indicates stopping an action or habit.
    Ich lasse das Rauchen. (I quit smoking.)
    Er hat das Trinken gelassen. (He has given up drinking.)

Important Highlights

  • Imperative form: The imperative for "du" is lass, not lassen.
  • Word Order: In sentences with lassen plus infinitive, the infinitive stays at the end.
  • Different meanings: Depending on context and construction, lassen can express permission, causation, or cessation.

Differences Between English and German Usage

Unlike in English where "let" or "leave" are straightforward, the German verb lassen covers a wider range of meanings and functions that can be challenging for learners. Especially for suggestions, German requires the specific structure lass uns + infinitive, which translates to "let's + verb" in English but must use the imperative form in German.

For example, the English phrase "Let me do this" translates as Lass mich das machen in German, strictly following the imperative + pronoun + infinitive word order.

Additionally, when talking about stopping a habit, German often uses lassen with a nominalized verb, like das Rauchen lassen (to quit smoking), which is less common in English.

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This content has been designed and reviewed by the coLanguage pedagogical team: About coLanguage

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Louis Fernando Hess

Bachelor of Science - Intercultural Business Psychology

Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences

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Germany


Last Updated:

Friday, 28/11/2025 22:42