Lassen + Infinitive

The verb lassen when combined with another verb in infinitive form, it can express letting/ having something done, leaving, or possibility.

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Unlike regular verbs, lassen + infinitive does not require zu before the second verb.

Ich lasse mein Auto reparieren. (I'm having my car repaired.)

Overview of Meanings

Meaning	Example	English
Let / Allow	Sie lässt mich gehen.	She lets me go.
Have sth. done (causative)	Ich lasse mir die Haare schneiden.	I'm having my hair cut.
Leave (in a state)	Er lässt das Fenster offen.	He leaves the window open.
Can be done (sich lassen)	Das lässt sich machen.	That can be done.

1. Lassen = To Let / To Allow

The most basic meaning: permitting someone to do something.

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Structure: Subject + lassen + Accusative (person) + Infinitive

Example	Translation
Sie lässt mich gehen.	She lets me go.
Lass mich das machen!	Let me do that!
Meine Eltern lassen mich nicht ausgehen.	My parents don't let me go out.

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Common Phrase: Lass uns... is used to suggest doing something together ("Let's..."):

Lass uns essen! (Let's eat!)

Lass uns anfangen! (Let's begin!)

2. Lassen = To Have Something Done (Causative)

This is one of the most important uses: having someone else do something for you.

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Structure: Subject + lassen + (Dative: for whom) + Accusative (thing) + Infinitive

This means you arrange for something to be done, not that you do it yourself.

Examples

Example	Translation
Ich lasse mein Auto reparieren.	I'm having my car repaired.
Wir lassen das Haus streichen.	We're having the house painted.
Sie lässt sich die Haare schneiden.	She's having her hair cut.

With Dative Reflexive (sich)

When something is done to yourself or for yourself, use the dative reflexive:

Example	Translation
Ich lasse mir die Haare schneiden.	I'm having my hair cut. (for me)
Er lässt sich beraten.	He's getting advice. (having himself advised)
Wir lassen uns Pizza liefern.	We're having pizza delivered. (for us)

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Comparison:

Ich lasse das Auto reparieren. (I'm having the car repaired.) → thing being done to

Ich lasse mir das Auto reparieren. (I'm having the car repaired for me.) → emphasizes who benefits

3. Lassen = To Leave (in a State)

Combined with verbs describing a state (stehen, liegen, sitzen), lassen means to leave something as it is.

Example	Translation
Ich lasse das Auto in der Garage stehen.	I'm leaving the car (standing) in the garage.
Sie lässt das Buch auf dem Tisch liegen.	She leaves the book (lying) on the table.
Lass das Fenster offen!	Leave the window open!

Without a Second Verb

Sometimes the second verb is implied and can be dropped:

Ich lasse das Auto hier. (I'm leaving the car here.) → stehen implied

Lass das! (Leave that! / Stop that!) → sein implied

4. Sich lassen = Can Be Done (Passive Alternative)

The reflexive construction sich lassen + infinitive expresses that something can be done. It's an alternative to können + passive.

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Structure: Subject (thing) + lässt sich + Infinitive

Equivalent to: kann + werden (passive)

Sich lassen Construction	*Passive with können***
Das lässt sich machen.	Das kann gemacht werden.
Das lässt sich nicht ändern.	Das kann nicht geändert werden.
Die Tür lässt sich nicht öffnen.	Die Tür kann nicht geöffnet werden.
Das Problem lässt sich leicht lösen.	Das Problem kann leicht gelöst werden.

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Note: Sich lassen is typically used in third person only (es/das/die Tür lässt sich...). It's not used with people as subject in this meaning.

Perfect Tense with lassen

When lassen is used with another infinitive, it forms a double infinitive in the perfect tense (like modal verbs).

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Rule: haben + Infinitive + lassen (NOT gelassen)

Present	Perfect
Ich lasse das Auto reparieren.	Ich habe das Auto reparieren lassen.
Sie lässt sich die Haare schneiden.	Sie hat sich die Haare schneiden lassen.

However, when lassen stands alone (without another infinitive), use gelassen:

Ich habe das Buch zu Hause gelassen. (I left the book at home.)

Sie hat ihn in Ruhe gelassen. (She left him alone.)

Word Order

Main Clause

lassen is conjugated in position 2; the infinitive goes to the end:

Ich lasse mein Auto morgen reparieren.

Subordinate Clause

In subordinate clauses, both verbs go to the end:

..., weil ich mein Auto reparieren lasse.

..., weil ich mein Auto habe reparieren lassen.