Before you start
Meet loslassen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
los- + lassen
- los-
- away or free from attachment
- lassen
- to let or allow
You let something become free and move away from your hold.
So loslassen means to let go; to release.
A memory aid, not a rule: prefixes change meaning from verb to verb.
Learning approach inspired by this explanation in r/German.
Verb family
More verbs built on lassen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
Separable verb: los·lassen
In a main clause the prefix los splits off and goes to the end. After weil, dass and other subordinating words, the verb stays in one piece at the end.
Main clauseSie lässt den Hund los.She lets the dog go.
Subordinate clauseSie lächelt, weil sie den Hund loslässt.She smiles because she lets the dog go.
Participle: losgelassenzu-infinitive: loszulassen
Forms
How loslassen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | lasse los | ließ los |
| du | lässt los | ließest los |
| er/sie/es | lässt los | ließ los |
| wir | lassen los | ließen los |
| ihr | lasst los | ließt los |
| Sie | lassen los | ließen los |
Partizip II losgelassen · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich lasse deine Hand los.I let go of your hand.present tense, split prefix
- 2Er hat das Seil losgelassen.He let go of the rope.Perfekt with haben
- 3Wenn du loslässt, kannst du besser schlafen.If you let go, you can sleep better.verb at the end after wenn
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
loslassen + der Ball
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Use der Ball as the thing being released.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I let it go yesterdaygestern.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When the busder Bus, die Busse arrivedankommen, she let go of his handdie Hand.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He let go of her handdie Hand because she wantedwollen to leavegehen.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The childdas Kind, die Kinder I let go yesterdaygestern is alreadyschon at homezu Hause.
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Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
You must let go of the ropedas Seil nowjetzt.
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Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
It was hardschwer for him to let go of the oldalt toydas Spielzeug.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Would you let go of my handdie Hand if I askedbitten you?
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 9 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
loslassen + der Hund + obwohl
Your challenge
- 1Start with an obwohl-clause.
- 2Use a pronoun for der Hund in the main clause.
- 3Put the main clause verb before its subject.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
What is something you find hard to let go of?
Your challenge
- 1Answer with one personal sentence.
- 2Use loslassen with a thing you find hard to release.