Before you start
Meet loslassen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Meaning
- to let loose, let go (physically or emotionally)
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.
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
Verb family
More verbs built on lassen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.