En 15 segundos
- Arrange for someone else to sign.
- You manage, they execute the signature.
- Used for contracts, forms, official papers.
- Never use if YOU are the signer.
Significado
Esta frase se usa cuando necesita obtener la firma de otra persona en un documento, como un contrato, un permiso o incluso un autógrafo. Implica que usted está organizando que otra persona realice el acto de firmar.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 11Texting a friend about a lease agreement
Ich muss den Mietvertrag noch von meiner Mitbewohnerin unterschreiben lassen.
I still need to have the rental agreement signed by my roommate.
At a doctor's office
Bitte lassen Sie dieses Formular von der Rezeption unterschreiben.
Please have this form signed by the reception desk.
Manager talking to an employee
Ich habe den neuen Arbeitsvertrag vorbereitet, lass ihn bitte von der Personalabteilung unterschreiben.
I've prepared the new employment contract, please have it signed by HR.
Contexto cultural
The 'Elternunterschrift' is a significant cultural concept. Children often fear having to 'unterschreiben lassen' a bad grade, leading to many stories of forged signatures in German literature and film. In Austria, titles are very important. When you 'unterschreiben lassen' something from a superior, you would often address them by their full title (e.g., 'Herr Magister'). Swiss bureaucracy is highly efficient but equally reliant on signatures. The term 'visieren lassen' (to have initialed/signed) is sometimes used as a synonym in Swiss German office contexts. The 'Vier-Augen-Prinzip' (four-eyes principle) often requires that two people sign a document. This means you have to 'gegenzeichnen lassen' (have it counter-signed).
The 'Von' Rule
Always use 'von' + Dative to say who is signing. 'Von meinem Chef', 'von meiner Mutter'.
Perfect Tense Trap
Remember the double infinitive: 'habe unterschreiben lassen'. Avoid 'gelassen'!
En 15 segundos
- Arrange for someone else to sign.
- You manage, they execute the signature.
- Used for contracts, forms, official papers.
- Never use if YOU are the signer.
What It Means
This phrase, unterschreiben lassen, is all about getting someone *else* to put their signature on a document for you. You're not the one signing; you're the one making sure the signature happens. It implies you're managing the process, perhaps handing the document over or requesting the signature from another person. Think of it as outsourcing the act of signing. It has a vibe of official business or necessary steps being completed, sometimes with a slight feeling of 'chasing' someone for their mark.
How To Use It
You use unterschreiben lassen when you need to arrange for another person to sign something. The basic structure is often jemanden [etwas] unterschreiben lassen. For example, Ich lasse meinen Vater das Formular unterschreiben. (I'll have my father sign the form.) Or, Ich muss den Vertrag von der Chefin unterschreiben lassen. (I need to have the contract signed by the boss.) The key is that the action of signing is performed by someone other than you, and you are the one facilitating it.
Real-Life Examples
Imagine you're a team leader. You've drafted a new project proposal. You give it to your manager and say, "Können Sie bitte diesen Vorschlag unterschreiben lassen?" (Can you please have this proposal signed?) Or maybe you're a parent. Your child needs a permission slip for a field trip. You tell your partner, "Ich muss die Erlaubnis von dir unterschreiben lassen." (I need to get the permission slip signed by you.) It’s about ensuring the correct person applies their John Hancock!
When To Use It
This phrase is perfect for situations where a signature is required from someone else. Think about job offers, rental agreements, official consent forms, or even getting an autograph from a famous musician you met backstage. Anytime you need a document to be officially acknowledged or made binding by another individual, unterschreiben lassen is your phrase. It’s like saying, “I need to get this checked off the list by Person X.”
When NOT To Use It
Crucially, don't use unterschreiben lassen if *you* are the one doing the signing. If you're signing your own bank form, you wouldn't say, "Ich lasse mich unterschreiben." (I let myself be signed.) You'd simply say, "Ich unterschreibe das Formular." (I sign the form.) The phrase implies delegation, so if you're the actor, leave lassen out. Also, avoid it for very informal agreements where a verbal 'yes' is enough.
Common Mistakes
A frequent error is forgetting the unterschreiben part, just saying Ich lasse das machen (I'll have it done), which is too vague. Another mistake is using it when you are the signer. It's like trying to paint a picture by only handing someone else the brush – it misses the point!
✗ Ich lasse den Vertrag.
✓ Ich lasse den Vertrag unterschreiben.
✗ Ich unterschreibe die Einladung.
✓ Ich lasse die Einladung unterschreiben (von meinem Chef).
Similar Expressions
Abzeichnen lassen is similar; it means to have something approved or initialed, often by a superior. Genehmigen lassen means to get approval for something. Bestätigen lassen is about having something officially confirmed. While related, unterschreiben lassen specifically points to the act of signing.
Common Variations
You can specify who signs: Ich lasse den Antrag von meinem Team unterschreiben. (I'll have the application signed by my team.) You can also use the dative reflexive: Ich lasse mir den Vertrag von ihr unterschreiben. (I'll have her sign the contract for me.) It adds a nice personal touch, like adding a custom emoji to your text.
Memory Trick
Imagine a Uncle Needs To Ensure Real Signatures Complete His Requests Everywhere. It's Business Essential! The LASSEN part is the uncle *making it happen* for him. So, unterschreiben lassen = someone else signs, facilitated by you.
Quick FAQ
Q. Does this mean I'm signing?
A. No, the opposite! It means you're arranging for *someone else* to sign.
Q. When is this phrase used?
A. For official documents, contracts, permission slips, or anything needing another person's unique mark.
Q. Is it always formal?
A. It can be formal (contracts) or informal (autographs), depending on the context and who is signing.
Real Conversations
Scenario 1: Planning a party invitation.
Maria
(I'm writing the invitations. Should I also have them signed?)
Tom
(No, only the official confirmation from the organizer needs to be signed.)
Scenario 2: Following up on a document.
Sarah
(Did you have Mr. Müller sign the document?)
Peter
(Yes, I just brought it to him. He's signing it now.)
Notas de uso
This phrase is versatile and can range from informal (getting an autograph) to very formal (signing legal contracts). The key is that you are arranging for someone else to sign. Be mindful of specifying the agent ('von wem') for clarity, especially in formal contexts. Avoid using it if you are the one performing the signature yourself.
The 'Von' Rule
Always use 'von' + Dative to say who is signing. 'Von meinem Chef', 'von meiner Mutter'.
Perfect Tense Trap
Remember the double infinitive: 'habe unterschreiben lassen'. Avoid 'gelassen'!
Passive Alternative
If you don't know who will sign, just say 'Das muss unterschreiben lassen werden' (rare) or better: 'Das muss noch unterschrieben werden'.
Ejemplos
11Ich muss den Mietvertrag noch von meiner Mitbewohnerin unterschreiben lassen.
I still need to have the rental agreement signed by my roommate.
The speaker needs their roommate to sign the contract, and the speaker is arranging this.
Bitte lassen Sie dieses Formular von der Rezeption unterschreiben.
Please have this form signed by the reception desk.
The speaker is instructing someone else to get the signature from the reception.
Ich habe den neuen Arbeitsvertrag vorbereitet, lass ihn bitte von der Personalabteilung unterschreiben.
I've prepared the new employment contract, please have it signed by HR.
The manager is delegating the task of getting the contract signed by HR.
Der Deal ist offiziell! 🎉 Freue mich riesig, die Verträge unterschreiben lassen zu haben. Auf ein neues Abenteuer!
The deal is official! 🎉 Super excited to have had the contracts signed. Here's to a new adventure!
Used here retrospectively ('zu haben') to indicate the action is complete.
Ich hab's endlich geschafft, den Arbeitsvertrag unterschreiben zu lassen! 🥳 #newjob #endlich
I finally managed to get the job contract signed! 🥳 #newjob #finally
A celebratory, informal use of the phrase indicating successful completion.
Wir bitten Sie höflich, das beigefügte Dokument von Ihrem Geschäftsführer unterschreiben zu lassen und es uns zurückzusenden.
We kindly ask you to have the attached document signed by your managing director and return it to us.
A formal request, using the infinitive with 'zu' for a polite instruction.
✗ Ich lasse den Brief.
✗ I let the letter.
Incorrect. This implies you are having someone else sign, not signing yourself. The verb 'unterschreiben' is missing.
✗ Ich muss das Formular unterschreiben lassen.
✗ I need to have the form signed.
This is grammatically okay but often incomplete. It's better to specify *who* should sign, e.g., 'von meinem Arzt' (by my doctor).
Mein Sohn hat seine Hausaufgaben vergessen, also musste ich ihn den Zettel vom Lehrer unterschreiben lassen.
My son forgot his homework, so I had to have him sign the note from the teacher.
Humorous use, implying the speaker had to 'make' the child sign, perhaps reluctantly.
Endlich! Nach Monaten der Verhandlung konnte ich den Vertrag von meinem Partner unterschreiben lassen.
Finally! After months of negotiation, I was able to have the contract signed by my partner.
Expresses relief and accomplishment after a long process.
Könntest du vielleicht kurz den Bericht von Frau Schmidt unterschreiben lassen?
Could you perhaps quickly have the report signed by Ms. Schmidt?
A polite request for assistance in getting a signature.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the correct form of 'lassen' and 'unterschreiben'.
Ich ______ den Vertrag von meinem Chef ______.
In the present tense, 'lassen' is conjugated and 'unterschreiben' stays in the infinitive at the end.
Which sentence is correct in the perfect tense?
Yesterday I had the document signed.
The causative 'lassen' uses the double infinitive (Ersatzinfinitiv) in the perfect tense.
Match the situation with the correct phrase.
Situations and Phrases
These are the most common pairings for this collocation.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Hast du das Formular schon fertig? B: Fast, ich muss es nur noch ______ ______.
The phrase 'nur noch unterschreiben lassen' is a very common way to say 'it just needs a signature'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Common things to 'unterschreiben lassen'
Office
- • {der|m} Vertrag
- • {die|f} Rechnung
- • {der|m} Urlaubsantrag
School
- • {die|f} Note
- • {die|f} Entschuldigung
- • {das|n} Zeugnis
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosIch ______ den Vertrag von meinem Chef ______.
In the present tense, 'lassen' is conjugated and 'unterschreiben' stays in the infinitive at the end.
Yesterday I had the document signed.
The causative 'lassen' uses the double infinitive (Ersatzinfinitiv) in the perfect tense.
Empareja cada elemento de la izquierda con su par de la derecha:
These are the most common pairings for this collocation.
A: Hast du das Formular schon fertig? B: Fast, ich muss es nur noch ______ ______.
The phrase 'nur noch unterschreiben lassen' is a very common way to say 'it just needs a signature'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Tutoriales en video
Encuentra tutoriales en video sobre esta expresión en YouTube.
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasYes, it is perfectly fine to use for digital processes like DocuSign.
In a main clause, 'lassen' is conjugated and 'unterschreiben' goes to the end. In a subordinate clause, 'unterschreiben lassen' is the order.
'Unterschreiben' is for documents; 'signieren' is usually for books, art, or autographs.
You can use 'sich' (Dative) to mean 'to have something signed for oneself'. 'Ich lasse mir das bestätigen.'
Yes, but since the context (signing) is usually formal, the phrase feels neutral to formal.
Yes, that means 'I let the boss sign'. It is slightly different but grammatically correct.
Use 'Ich habe es unterschreiben lassen.'
Almost. 'Abzeichnen' is usually just initials or a quick check-off.
Then just use 'Ich unterschreibe'. No 'lassen' needed.
Yes, though they also use 'visieren lassen'.
Frases relacionadas
abzeichnen lassen
similarto have something initialed or approved with a short signature
gegenzeichnen lassen
specialized formto have something counter-signed
beglaubigen lassen
builds onto have something notarized or certified
paraphieren lassen
synonymto have initialed (legal/diplomatic)
