verb
to leave (a place), to leave (someone)/to abandon
B1
Verlassen: primarily 'to leave (a place)' and 'to abandon (someone)'. It's a strong irregular verb (present: du/er verlässt; preterite er verließ). Uses haben as auxiliary. Can be non‑reflexive (leave/abandon) or reflexive as sich verlassen auf meaning 'to rely on', which requires preposition auf.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.EXAMPLES
Er verlässt sich auf seine Freunde.
He relies on his friends.
Sie hat das Land verlassen.
She left the country.
Wir müssen das Haus jetzt verlassen, sonst kommen wir zu spät.
We have to leave the house now, otherwise we'll be late.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.DETAILS_LABEL
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.MNEMONICS
Imagine a person walking out of a house and the door sign slowly changing to the word 'verlassen' as they close it behind them.
Think 'fare-less-en' — leaving with less (fare) helps recall 'verlassen' = leave/abandon.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.NOTES
Common pitfalls: 'verlassen' (to leave/abandon) differs from 'zurücklassen' (to leave behind). Also used in passive ('verlassen werden') and in pronominal form 'sich verlassen auf' (to rely on) with a different meaning.