laten we

Let's

Level 2

Laten we is the standard Dutch way to propose a joint action, equivalent to the English 'let's'.

How It Works

The pattern laten we functions as a first-person plural imperative (a suggestion for 'us').

1. Word Order:
Dutch follows a 'verb bracket' structure. Laten we starts the sentence, and the action verb must go to the very end. Any objects or time phrases are placed in the middle field between them.
Example: Laten we [nu een broodje] eten.

2. Nuance:
While zullen we (shall we) asks for a partner's opinion, laten we is more decisive. It signals that the speaker is ready to act or is encouraging the group to move forward.

3. Regional Variants:

  • Laten wij: Used when you want to emphasize 'we' (e.g., 'Let us do it, even if they won't').
  • Laat ons: Common in Flanders (Belgium) as a standard alternative, but in the Netherlands, it sounds very formal or religious (like 'Let us pray').

Examples (5)

  1. Laten we nu gaan.

    Let's go now.

    Word by Word: Let we now go.

    A simple suggestion where the infinitive 'gaan' is placed at the end.

  2. Laten we een kopje koffie drinken.

    Let's drink a cup of coffee.

    Word by Word: Let we a cup coffee drink.

    The object 'een kopje koffie' sits in the middle, while 'drinken' finishes the sentence.

  3. Laten we het er niet meer over hebben.

    Let's not talk about it anymore.

    Word by Word: Let we it there not more over have.

    This uses a fixed expression 'het erover hebben' (to talk about it).

  4. Laten we morgen naar het strand gaan.

    Let's go to the beach tomorrow.

    Word by Word: Let we tomorrow to the beach go.

    Notice how the time (morgen) and place (naar het strand) are placed before the final verb.

  5. Laten we eerlijk zijn.

    Let's be honest.

    Word by Word: Let we honest be.

    Using the verb 'zijn' (to be) to propose a state of mind or attitude.

Common Mistakes

  • Placing the infinitive immediately after 'we'.

    Laten we gaan naar huis.
    Laten we naar huis gaan.

    In Dutch, the infinitive must go to the very end of the clause, not right after the subject.

  • Adding 'te' before the infinitive.

    Laten we te beginnen.
    Laten we beginnen.

    The verb 'laten' is one of the few verbs that takes a 'bare infinitive' without the word 'te'.

  • Using the singular imperative 'laat' with 'we'.

    Laat we eten.
    Laten we eten.

    In standard Dutch the verb is plural with 'we': 'laten we'. The form 'laat we' is heard in informal speech, but 'laten we' is the one to write.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

laten weLevel 2Let's

Learn This First

To use 'laten we', you need to understand how to use the plural pronoun 'we' and how to combine a conjugated verb with an infinitive at the end of a sentence, similar to how modal verbs function.

Words in This Pattern

latenwij