lasciare + Infinitive
'Lasciare' + Infinitive (To Let)
The construction lasciare + infinito is the Italian way to say 'to let' or 'to allow' someone to do something. It is the permissive counterpart to fare + infinito (to make/cause).
How It Works
In Italian, lasciare + infinito functions as a causative of permission. Here are the key rules to become proficient in its usage:
- Direct Structure: Italian places the infinitive directly after lasciare without any preposition (no 'di' or 'a').
- The Agent (The Doer):
1. If the infinitive is intransitive (no object), the person allowed to act is a direct object: Lascio uscire i bambini.
2. If the infinitive is transitive (has an object), the agent is normally an indirect object (Lascio leggere il libro ai bambini) or introduced by the preposition da (Lascio leggere il libro da Luca). Using a direct object for the agent of a transitive verb is less standard. - Pronoun Placement: In the indicative mood, pronouns must precede the conjugated verb (Mi lascia andare). Attaching them to the infinitive (Lascia andarmi) is ungrammatical in modern Italian. However, with the imperative, the pronoun must attach to the end (Lasciami andare).
- Passive Meaning: The reflexive form lasciarsi + infinito means 'to let oneself be [verb-ed]': Si è lasciato ingannare (He let himself be deceived).
- Agreement: In compound tenses, if there is a preceding direct object pronoun, the past participle of lasciare must agree: Le ho lasciate gridare (I let them shout).
Examples (6)
- Mia madre non mi lascia mai guidare la sua macchina.
My mother never lets me drive her car.
Word by Word: My mother not me lets never to drive the her car.
In this sentence, 'mi' functions as an indirect object because 'guidare' is a transitive verb with its own direct object ('la sua macchina').
- Le ho lasciate uscire con le amiche.
I let them (fem.) go out with their friends.
Word by Word: Them I have let go out with the friends.
When the infinitive is intransitive (like 'uscire'), the agent ('le') is a direct object, and the past participle 'lasciate' must agree with it.
- Si è lasciato convincere facilmente.
He let himself be convinced easily.
Word by Word: Himself he is let to convince easily.
The reflexive form 'lasciarsi' + infinitive often carries a passive meaning (to let oneself be...).
- Lasciami parlare, per favore.
Let me speak, please.
Word by Word: Let-me to speak, for favor.
With the imperative mood, the pronoun is attached to the end of the verb (enclitic).
- Ho lasciato mangiare la torta a Marco.
I let Marco eat the cake.
Word by Word: I have let to eat the cake to Marco.
When the infinitive is transitive ('mangiare la torta'), the person allowed to act must be an indirect object ('a Marco').
- Ho lasciato leggere il libro da Luca.
I let the book be read by Luca.
Word by Word: I have let to read the book by Luca.
The agent can also be introduced by the preposition 'da', which emphasizes the action performed on the object.
Common Mistakes
Inserting a preposition like 'di' or 'a' between the verbs.
Mi lascia di andare al cinema.Mi lascia andare al cinema.The verb 'lasciare' is followed directly by the infinitive. Do not use 'di' or 'a' to connect them.
Using 'lasciare' to mean 'to make' or 'to force'.
Mi ha lasciato piangere con le sue parole.Mi ha fatto piangere con le sue parole.If you want to say someone 'made' you do something, use fare + infinito. 'Lasciare' only means 'to permit' or 'to allow'.
Forgetting past participle agreement with direct object pronouns.
Le ho lasciato uscire.Le ho lasciate uscire.In compound tenses like the passato prossimo, the past participle must agree with a preceding direct object pronoun.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'lasciare + infinito', you first need to know how to conjugate 'lasciare' as a regular -are verb. You also need to understand the general concept of combining a conjugated verb with an infinitive. Familiarity with the causative 'fare + infinito' is highly beneficial as it follows the exact same grammatical logic for expressing that one person allows or causes another to perform an action.
Related Patterns
- Clitic Pronoun Placement with the Infinitive
Explains where to place pronouns when using infinitive constructions like 'lasciare + infinito'.
Level 3 - mi / ti / gli / le / ci / vi / gli / loroIndirect Object Pronouns
Crucial for identifying the correct pronoun to use when the infinitive in the 'lasciare' construction is transitive.
Level 1 - Perception Verbs + Infinitive
Similar structure used with verbs like 'vedere' (to see) or 'sentire' (to hear) followed by an infinitive.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice lasciare + Infinitive in Bubblegum
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