lë + të + Verb

Permissive with 'Lë'

Level 3

The permissive construction uses the verb lë (to let/leave) + [Object] + të [Verb]. It is the standard way to say 'let someone do something' in Albanian.

How It Works

The permissive construction with lë is a fundamental part of Albanian syntax. It follows a strict structure:

1. The Verb 'lë': This is a highly irregular verb. In the present tense, it conjugates as: lë, lë, lë, lëmë, lini, lënë. In the aorist (past), the forms are: lashë, le, la, lamë, latë, lanë.

2. The Object and Clitics: The person or thing being 'let' must be in the accusative case. A short-form clitic is mandatory if the object is a pronoun or a definite noun. In the indicative, these clitics precede the verb (e.g., e lë). In the positive imperative, the clitic is suffixed to the verb (e.g., lëre, lërmë). However, in the negative imperative, the clitic must precede the verb (e.g., mos e lër).

3. The Subjunctive Complement: The action being permitted is always introduced by the particle të. This is the subjunctive mood. Unlike English, which uses the bare infinitive (let him go), Albanian requires the full subjunctive form (e lashë të shkonte).

4. Nuance: While lejoj is a formal verb for 'to permit,' lë is used in almost all everyday contexts. It can also mean 'to leave someone alone' so they can finish a task, as in Më lër të punoj (Leave me [so I can] work).

Examples (4)

  1. Më lër të flas!

    Let me speak!

    Word by Word: Me let to I-speak!

    In the singular imperative, 'lë' becomes 'lër'. The clitic 'më' (me) precedes the verb in this construction, though 'Lërmë' is also common.

  2. Nuk e lanë djalin të luante jashtë.

    They didn't let the boy play outside.

    Word by Word: Not him they-let the-boy to he-played outside.

    Note the mandatory clitic doubling: 'e' must be used because 'djalin' is a definite noun.

  3. Lëre të shkojë!

    Let him go!

    Word by Word: Let-him to he-goes!

    In the imperative mood, the accusative clitic '-e' (him/it) is attached as a suffix to the verb.

  4. Na lini të hyjmë brenda.

    Let us come inside.

    Word by Word: Us let to we-enter inside.

    The plural imperative 'lini' is used with the 1st person plural clitic 'na' (us).

Common Mistakes

  • Using the nominative case for the object.

    Lë ai të shkojë.
    Lëre atë të shkojë.

    The person being allowed must be in the accusative case (atë), and in the imperative, the clitic must be attached (lëre).

  • Omitting the subjunctive particle 'të'.

    Më lë flas.
    Më lë të flas.

    Unlike English 'let me speak', Albanian requires the subjunctive marker 'të' before the second verb.

  • Confusing the verb 'lë' with the hortative particle 'le'.

    Le mua të shkoj.
    Më lë të shkoj.

    The particle 'le' is used for 'let's' (le të shkojmë) and does not change. The verb 'lë' must be conjugated and take an object clitic.

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lë + të + VerbLevel 3Permissive with 'Lë'

Learn This First

To use the permissive construction with 'lë' (to let/allow), you need to understand how to conjugate the main verb 'lë' and how to form the subjunctive mood for the action being permitted. Additionally, knowing how to use accusative clitics is essential for identifying who is being allowed to act.

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lë