verb
to let, to leave (someone/something)
A2
'lassen' primarily means 'to let' (allow), 'to leave' (abandon/leave behind), and as a causative 'have something done' (lassen + infinitive). Strong irregular verb (past stem ließ, participle gelassen), auxiliary haben. Present stem vowel change a→ä (du lässt). Not reflexive; can form causative/passive constructions.
Examples
Kannst du das Buch dort liegen lassen?
Can you leave the book there?
Die Eltern ließen das Kind draußen spielen, obwohl es bald zu regnen begann.
The parents let the child play outside, although it soon began to rain.
Ich habe mein Handy zu Hause gelassen.
I left my phone at home.
Details
Mnemonics
Imagine someone letting a person through, saying 'Lass zu!'
Sounds like 'last in' — let something remain
Notes
Lassen is a versatile verb used in causative constructions (lassen + infinitive) and to mean 'leave' or 'let'. It has an irregular stem vowel in the present (du lässt).