lassen + Infinitive

Have Something Done (Lassen)

Level 2

The verb lassen is used with another verb (infinitive) at the end of the sentence. It primarily means 'to let' (permission) or 'to have something done' (causation).

How It Works

The construction lassen + infinitive is a versatile 'workhorse' in German. It covers several meanings:

1. Causative (Service/Arrangement): When you arrange for someone else to do something. Ich lasse mein Auto reparieren. (I am having my car repaired.)
2. Permissive (Allowing): When you let someone do something. Ich lasse die Kinder spielen. (I let the children play.)
3. Passive Substitute: Using sich lassen + infinitive to mean 'can be done.' Das lässt sich machen. (That can be done.)

Grammar Rules:

  • Conjugation: Lassen is a strong verb with a stem change: ich lasse, du lässt, er/sie/es lässt.
  • Word Order: In a main clause, the second verb goes to the end. However, in a subordinate clause using the double infinitive (Perfekt), the conjugated auxiliary haben must move to the position before the two infinitives. Example: ...weil ich das Auto habe reparieren lassen.
  • The Double Infinitive: In the Perfekt tense, if lassen is used with another verb, the past participle gelassen changes to the infinitive lassen.
  • Standalone Meaning: When used without another verb, lassen means 'to leave' or 'to stop/refrain from.' In this case, it uses the regular participle gelassen. Example: Ich habe meinen Schlüssel zu Hause gelassen.

Examples (5)

  1. Ich lasse mir die Haare schneiden.

    I am having my hair cut.

    Word by Word: I let me the hairs cut.

    This is the causative use. Since the action is done for the subject, we use the dative reflexive pronoun 'mir'.

  2. Der Vater lässt sein Kind draußen spielen.

    The father lets his child play outside.

    Word by Word: The father lets his child outside play.

    This is the permissive use, meaning the father allows the child to play.

  3. Wir lassen unsere Waschmaschine reparieren.

    We are having our washing machine repaired.

    Word by Word: We let our washing-machine repair.

    A common use for services. Note that 'reparieren' is at the very end.

  4. Ich habe mein Fahrrad reparieren lassen.

    I had my bicycle repaired.

    Word by Word: I have my bicycle repair let.

    This demonstrates the 'double infinitive' in the Perfekt tense.

  5. Lass mich bitte ausreden!

    Please let me finish speaking!

    Word by Word: Let me please out-speak!

    An imperative use of 'lassen' to ask for permission or to be left alone to finish a task.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'zu' before the infinitive.

    Ich lasse das Auto zu reparieren.
    Ich lasse das Auto reparieren.

    Just like modal verbs, 'lassen' takes a bare infinitive. Never use 'zu' with this construction.

  • Using 'gelassen' instead of the double infinitive in the Perfekt.

    Ich habe die Haare schneiden gelassen.
    Ich habe die Haare schneiden lassen.

    When 'lassen' is used with another verb in the Perfekt, you must use the 'double infinitive' (lassen) instead of the participle (gelassen).

How It Connects

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

lassen + InfinitiveLevel 2Have Something Done (Lassen)

Learn This First

To use 'lassen' with an infinitive, you need to understand how to conjugate irregular verbs with stem changes and how to structure a sentence with two verbs where the second verb is pushed to the end. Familiarity with the accusative case is also necessary to identify the object being affected by the action.

Words in This Pattern