The German verb “lassen”

The German verb “lassen” is kinda tricky. It has various meanings:

a) (to) let as in: Let me go! Lass mich gehen!

b) (to) leave as in: Leave me alone! Lass mich in Ruhe!

c) (to) let / have something done as in: Ich lasse mein Auto reparieren. I’m having my car repaired.

In a) and b) “lassen” functions like any other verb that can stand on its own.

In c) it functions like a modal verb that supports another verb (just like e.g. (to) have or (to) be) -> “lassen” is conjugated, the verb that is supported stands in the infinitve.

Example: Tanja lässt (<- conjugated) sich die Haare schneiden (<- infinitive). Tanja is having her hair cut / is getting a haircut.

Here’s how you conjugate the irregular verb “lassen”.

Present tense: ich lasse, du lässt, er/sie/es lässt, wir lassen, ihr lasst, sie lassen

Past tense: ich ließ, du ließest, er/sie/es ließ, wir ließen, ihr ließet, sie ließen

Past participle of “lassen”: “gelassen”