Перейти к основному содержимому

Die Verben lassen, brauchen und werden

  • The verbs "lassen", "brauchen" and "werden" can function as main verbs or as auxiliary verbs, depending on the context.
  • Accurately distinguishing them helps in using German more precisely.

1️⃣ The verb "lassen"

🔹 1.1. When "lassen" functions as a main verb​

"Lassen" means "to leave", "to let", or "to allow".

Structure:

Subject + lassen (conjugated) + accusative + (place/complement)

Examples:

  • Ich lasse mein Handy zu Hause. (I leave my phone at home.)
  • Er lässt die Tür offen. (He leaves the door open.)

Note:

  • In this case, "lassen" expresses leaving or allowing an object to remain somewhere.

🔹 1.2. When "lassen" functions as an auxiliary verb​

"Lassen" can combine with an infinitive to express permission, request, or commissioning an action.

Structure:

Subject + lassen (conjugated) + object (accusative) + infinitive

Examples:

  • Ich lasse mein Auto reparieren. (I have my car repaired.)
  • Er lässt seine Haare schneiden. (He has his hair cut.)

Note:

  • Used when someone else performs the action requested or allowed by the subject.

Example (emphasizing permission):

  • Ich lasse dich gehen. (I let you go.)

2️⃣ The verb "brauchen"

🔹 2.1. When "brauchen" functions as a main verb​

"Brauchen" means "to need" and takes the accusative case.

Structure:

Subject + brauchen (conjugated) + accusative

Examples:

  • Ich brauche einen neuen Laptop. (I need a new laptop.)
  • Sie braucht Hilfe. (She needs help.)

Note:

  • Expresses need or necessity.

🔹 2.2. When "brauchen" functions as an auxiliary verb​

"Brauchen" can combine with "zu + infinitive" to indicate no necessity.

Structure:

Subject + brauchen (conjugated) + nicht/kein + zu + infinitive

Examples:

  • Du brauchst nicht zu kommen. (You don’t need to come.)
  • Er braucht kein Ticket zu kaufen. (He doesn’t need to buy a ticket.)

Note:

  • This form is common in spoken German to express something unnecessary.
  • Typically used in negative or conditional sentences.

3️⃣ The verb "werden"

🔹 3.1. When "werden" functions as a main verb​

"Werden" means "to become" or "to turn into".

Structure:

Subject + werden (conjugated) + nominative

Examples:

  • Er wird Arzt. (He becomes a doctor.)
  • Es wird kalt. (It is getting cold.)

Note:

  • Used to describe change or transformation.

🔹 3.2. When "werden" functions as an auxiliary verb​

📌 "Werden" is used to form the future tense (Futur I) or passive voice (Passiv).

3.2.1. "Werden" in the future tense (Futur I)​

Structure:

Subject + werden (conjugated) + infinitive

Examples:

  • Ich werde morgen nach Berlin fahren. (I will go to Berlin tomorrow.)
  • Sie wird einen Brief schreiben. (She will write a letter.)

Note:

  • Used to talk about future events.

3.2.2. "Werden" in the passive voice (Passiv)​

Structure:

Subject + werden (conjugated) + past participle

Examples:

  • Das Haus wird gebaut. (The house is being built.)
  • Der Brief wird geschrieben. (The letter is being written.)

Note:

  • Describes an action without mentioning who performs it.

✅ Summary table

VerbAs a main verbAs an auxiliary verb
lassenIch lasse mein Buch hier. (I leave my book here.)Ich lasse mein Auto reparieren. (I have my car repaired.)
brauchenIch brauche ein Auto. (I need a car.)Du brauchst nicht zu kommen. (You don’t need to come.)
werdenEr wird Arzt. (He becomes a doctor.)Das Haus wird gebaut. (The house is being built.)

Mục lục

🍅