Level: B1+
Focus: The versatile verb lassen.
Part 1: Story & Dialogue
Context: Lukas and Lisa are preparing for a wedding they are attending this weekend. They are running errands.
Lisa: Lukas, wir haben keine Zeit! Lass uns gehen!
Lukas, we have no time! Let us go!
Lukas: Warte kurz. Ich finde mein Handy nicht.
Wait briefly. I can't find my phone.
Lukas: Ich glaube, ich habe es im Auto liegen lassen.
I believe I left it lying in the car.
Lisa: Immer das Gleiche mit dir.
Always the same with you.
Lisa: Übrigens, hast du den Anzug abgeholt?
By the way, did you pick up the suit?
Lukas: Nein. Ich lasse den Anzug noch reinigen.
No. I am having the suit cleaned (still).
Lukas: Ich hole ihn morgen ab.
I pick it up tomorrow.
Lisa: Okay. Ich gehe jetzt zum Friseur.
Okay. I am going to the hairdresser now.
Lisa: Ich lasse mir die Haare schneiden und färben.
I am having my hair cut and dyed.
Lukas: Warum machst du das nicht selbst? Das ist billiger.
Why don't you do that yourself? That is cheaper.
Lisa: Bist du verrückt? Lass den Quatsch!
Are you crazy? Stop that nonsense!
Lisa: Ich kann das nicht.
I cannot do that.
Lukas: War nur ein Witz.
Was just a joke.
Lukas: Sag mal, lässt du mich heute Abend dein Auto fahren?
Tell me, do you let me drive your car tonight?
Lukas: Mein Auto ist in der Werkstatt.
My car is in the garage.
Lukas: Ich lasse die Bremsen reparieren.
I am having the brakes repaired.
Lisa: Na gut. Aber fahr vorsichtig!
Oh well. But drive carefully!
Lisa: Und lass die Tür nicht offen stehen.
And don't leave the door standing open.
Part 2: Vocabulary Section (Collocations with Lassen)
The phrase > Lass uns (gehen)!
means Let's (go)! It is used as a suggestion or imperative.
The phrase > Lass mich in Ruhe!
means Leave me alone! (in peace) It is used to express annoyance.
The phrase > Lass das!
means Stop that! / Don't do that! It is a command to stop.
The phrase > liegen lassen
means to leave (lying) behind It is used for forgetting objects.
The phrase > stehen lassen
means to leave (standing) It is used for abandoning objects or people.
The phrase > reparieren lassen
means to have repaired It is used for a service.
The phrase > schneiden lassen
means to have cut It is used at the hairdresser.
The phrase > reinigen lassen
means to have cleaned It is used for dry cleaning.
The phrase > fallen lassen
means to drop (let fall) It is used for accidents.
Part 3: Grammar Focus
Topic: The Verb "Lassen"
1. Conjugation (Strong Verb)
It changes the vowel from $a - ä$ in the singular.
Ich lasse
Du lässt
Er/Sie/Es lässt
Wir lassen
Ihr lasst
Sie lassen
2. Usage A: As a Main Verb (To Leave)
Used when you leave an object somewhere.
Ich lasse den Koffer hier. (I leave the suitcase here).
Ich lasse das Buch auf dem Tisch.
3. Usage B: As a Helper Verb (Modal-style)
Just like > können or > müssen, > lassen sends the second verb to the end (Infinitive).
To Allow/Let:
Der Vater lässt die Kinder spielen. (The father lets the children play).
To Stop:
Bitte lass mich schlafen! (Please let me sleep / stop disturbing me).
To Have Something Done (The Causative):
Use this when you pay someone else to do a service.
Wrong: > Ich repariere mein Auto. (Implies YOU are the mechanic).
Right: > Ich lasse mein Auto reparieren. (I let/have my car repaired).
Wrong: > Ich schneide meine Haare.
Right: > Ich lasse mir die Haare schneiden.
4. The Reflexive Trick (Mir vs. Mich)
If you let someone do something to YOU (whole body): Use Mich (Acc).
Er lässt mich nicht gehen. (He doesn't let me go).
If you let someone do something to A PART of you (or for you): Use Mir (Dat).
Ich lasse mir die Haare schneiden. (I have the hair cut for/on me).
Ich lasse mir ein Haus bauen. (I have a house built for myself).
5. Past Tense (Perfekt) - Advanced Tip
If used as a Main Verb: > Ich habe den Koffer gelassen.
If used with another verb: It usually does the "Double Infinitive" trick like modals.
Ich habe das Auto reparieren lassen. (Not "gelassen").