las
Letting Someone (Las)
Las ta magab means Let him sleep. Las ma aitan! means Let me help! Las olla! means Never mind!
How It Works
las comes from lase and laske, the command forms of laskma (to let). It never changes its form and makes a friendly request, a suggestion or permission.
- las + subject + present tense: this is the usual pattern. The subject is in the nominative, and the verb agrees with it: Las ma aitan! Las ta magab. Las lapsed mängivad õues.
- Fixed phrases with the da-infinitive: Las olla! (Never mind! Let it be!) and Las käia! (Go ahead!).
- Not minding: las can also show that the speaker does not mind or will not interfere: Las ta arvab, mis tahab (Let him think what he likes).
Compare the full verb laskma. It is used when someone lets, or does not let, someone else do something. It takes the adessive for the person and the da-infinitive: Lase mul aidata! Isa ei lase mul minna. For suggestions that include yourself, use the let's form instead: Lähme!
Examples (6)
- Las ta magab.
Let him sleep.
- Las ma aitan!
Let me help!
Word by Word: let I help
After las, ma stays in the nominative and aitan agrees with it.
- Las lapsed mängivad õues.
Let the children play outside.
- Las olla!
Never mind!
A fixed phrase with the da-infinitive olla.
- Las ma mõtlen veel natuke.
Let me think a little more.
- Lase mul aidata!
Let me help!
The full verb laskma takes the adessive mul and the da-infinitive.
Common Mistakes
Using mind (me) after las, as in English let me.
Las mind aidata!Las ma aitan!After las, the subject stays in the nominative and the verb is in the present tense. With the full verb, say Lase mul aidata!
Using the ma-infinitive after las.
Las ta magama.Las ta magab.las needs a present-tense verb that agrees with the subject.
How It Connects
Learn This First
las uses the present or the da-infinitive.
Related Patterns
- Singular Command
las comes from lase, the singular command form of laskma.
Level 1 - Let Someone Do It (-gu/-ku)
The jussive is a more formal way to say let someone do something.
Level 4 - Present Tense
The verb after las is in the present tense.
Level 1 - Plural and Polite Command (-ge/-ke)Plural and Polite Command
laske is the plural command form behind las.
Level 1
Practice las in Bubblegum
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