what is it?
The verb lassen combines with a bare infinitive (no zu) to express two closely related ideas: (1) having something done by someone else, and (2) letting or allowing someone to do something. The imperative form Lass uns … is also used as a fixed expression to make suggestions, equivalent to English «Let's …».
when to use it
Having something done. Use lassen when you arrange for another person (often a professional) to carry out an action on your behalf. The subject does not perform the action themselves.
Letting or allowing someone to do something. Use lassen when the subject permits or enables another person to do something. The person who acts appears as an accusative object between lassen and the infinitive.
Making suggestions with Lass uns …. The imperative Lass uns followed by an infinitive is a fixed, everyday way to propose doing something together.
formation
The structure is: conjugated lassen + (object) + bare infinitive. The infinitive always goes to the end of the clause. Note the stem-vowel change a → ä in the second and third person singular.
| person | form | meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ich | lasse | I let / have … done |
| du | lässt | you let / have … done |
| er / sie / es | lässt | he / she / it lets / has … done |
| wir | lassen | we let / have … done |
| ihr | lasst | you (pl.) let / have … done |
| sie / Sie | lassen | they / you (formal) let / have … done |
The infinitive that follows lassen is always bare — never preceded by zu. This is the same pattern as modal verbs (können, müssen, etc.).
examples in context
common pitfalls
Adding zu before the infinitive. Unlike most other verbs that take an infinitive, lassen never uses zu. ✗ Ich lasse mein Fahrrad zu reparieren. ✓ Ich lasse mein Fahrrad reparieren.
Missing the stem-vowel change. In the second and third person singular, the vowel changes from a to ä. ✗ Er lasst ihn fahren. ✓ Er lässt ihn fahren.
Using a passive or machen-paraphrase where lassen is idiomatic. When you pay or arrange for a service, German uses lassen, not a literal description of the action. ✗ Ich schneide meine Haare beim Friseur. (This says you cut your own hair at the hairdresser's.) ✓ Ich lasse mir die Haare schneiden. (You have your hair cut by someone else.)
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