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More German Verbs with lassen

In the past, we've looked at how lassen expresses "to let" and "to leave," and how lassen is used in combination with other verbs. But there are also many verbs that use lassen as a root. 

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This is by no means an exhaustive list, but instead a number of examples that are very common. Let's go alphabetically, starting with (jemanden) entlassen, which can refer to releasing someone from an obligation, but also is a polite way of talking about firing someone from a job. 

 

Eigentlich hätt ich ihn entlassen müssen.

Actually, I should have fired him.

Caption 53, Großstadtrevier: Nicht mit mir

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The verb (etwas) hinterlassen means "to leave (something) behind."

 

Aber wenigstens hat dieser Vollidiot eine Spur hinterlassen.

But at least the complete idiot left behind a trace.

Caption 59, Die Pfefferkörner: Endspurt

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The verb loslassen means "to let go," either physically or emotionally. 

 

Trotzdem weiß sie, dass sie ihre Kinder auch irgendwann loslassen muss.

But she knows that she must someday let go of her children.

Caption 43, Tapetenwechsel: Barbara Becker mag es aufgeräumt

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The verb nachlassen refers to something abating, fading, easing, or relenting.

 

Deswegen hat's in den letzten Wochen bisschen nachgelassen... in den letzten Jahren.

That's why it's declined a little over the past few weeks... over the past few years.

Caption 15, Formel-1-Rennfahrer: Timo Glock

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The verb (etwas) veranlassen means "to arrange (something)."

 

Ja, das können wir für Sie veranlassen.

Yes, we can arrange that for you.

Caption 74, Galileo: So hart ist der Job im Callcenter

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One essential verb is verlassen, which is different from lassen in that it specifically means "to leave" in the sense of departing from a place or abandoning someone or something. It also requires a direct object.

 

Ich möchte Sie bitten, dann die Fähre zu verlassen.

I would like to ask you to then leave the ferry.

Caption 19, Die Pfefferkörner: Abschied tut weh

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Ich will ihn auch gar nicht verlassen.

I really don't want to leave him.

Caption 69, Die Pfefferkörner: Abschied tut weh

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And finally, we come to zulassen, which means "to permit" or "to allow." 

 

Aber Theresa, wir können nicht zulassen, dass die beiden gewinnen.

But Theresa, we can't let the two of them win.

Captions 23-24, Heidi Schatzdiebe

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Einundsechzig Komma fünf Millionen Kfz sind in Deutschland zugelassen.

Sixty-one point five million motor vehicles are registered in Germany.

Caption 2, Richter Alexander Hold: Richtig parken

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Further Learning
You can find examples of these verbs, as well as others that have the root lassen, on Yabla German. One additional expression you can look up is sich auf jemanden verlassen

Verschwenden and Verschwinden

Every language has words that sound similar and are easy to mix up for non-native speakers, so this week we will look at the verbs verschwinden ("to disappear") and verschwenden ("to waste"). 

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Wieso verschwinden sie?

Why are they disappearing?

Caption 8, Abgedreht - Heinrich und der Tassendieb

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Ich mag es nicht, Lebensmittel zu verschwenden.

I do not like to waste food.

Caption 50, Werbung gegen Realität - Kunstprojekt Fertigprodukte

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The past participles of the verbs are also important to memorize. The past participle of verschwinden is verschwunden, and the past tense uses the auxiliary verb sein rather than haben:

 

Heute sind sie nahezu verschwunden.

Today, they have almost disappeared.

Caption 22, Flipperautomaten - Kunstwerke für flinke Kugeln

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Verschwendet, which is the past participle of verschwenden, requires the auxiliary verb haben. However, it is often also used as an adjective and there is also the noun die Verschwendung.

 

Diese Zeit des Suchens,

This time spent looking for things,

äh, is' so 'ne Zeit, die ich verschwendet finde.

uh, is a time that I find to be wasted.

Caption 18, Tapetenwechsel - Barbara Becker mag es aufgeräumt

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„Welch eine Verschwendung von Gelb!", sagte Piggeldy.

"What a waste of yellow!" said Piggeldy.

Caption 36, Piggeldy und Frederick - Gelb

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Further Learning

 

Create your own devices to make sure you don't confuse the words (For example, you can remember that verschwinden and "disappear" both have an "i" in them) or their past participles. And you can always look for additional examples on Yabla German.