En 15 secondes
- To have something verified or signed off by an authority.
- Uses 'lassen' as the helper verb with 'bestätigen' at the end.
- Essential for German bureaucracy, work, and official appointments.
Signification
This phrase is used when you need someone else to verify or sign off on something for you. It is the German way of saying 'I need to get this officially confirmed' or 'I need to have this checked by an expert.'
Exemples clés
3 sur 6At the doctor's office
Ich muss mir das Attest vom Arzt bestätigen lassen.
I need to have the medical certificate confirmed by the doctor.
Texting a friend about a party
Lass dir den Termin für die Party noch mal bestätigen.
Have the date for the party confirmed again.
In a business meeting
Wir sollten uns diese Konditionen schriftlich bestätigen lassen.
We should have these conditions confirmed in writing.
Contexte culturel
The 'Stempel' (stamp) is a cultural icon. A document without a stamp is often considered 'informal'. Germans will often insist on 'bestätigen lassen' even for small things to ensure 'Rechtssicherheit' (legal certainty). In Austria, titles are very important. When you 'bestätigen lassen' something, you should address the person by their title (e.g., 'Herr Magister') to ensure a smooth process. Swiss bureaucracy is highly efficient but strict. 'Bestätigen lassen' is often done digitally now, but the linguistic requirement for a 'Bestätigung' remains high for insurance purposes. In German companies, 'bestätigen lassen' is a way to 'cover your back' (sich absichern). If a project fails, you show the 'Bestätigung' that your part was done correctly.
The Email Trick
If you have a verbal agreement, send an email saying: 'Wie besprochen, wollte ich mir dies kurz bestätigen lassen.' This creates a paper trail instantly.
Don't forget the 'mir'
Using 'mir' makes it clear the confirmation is for your records. Without it, the sentence can feel incomplete.
En 15 secondes
- To have something verified or signed off by an authority.
- Uses 'lassen' as the helper verb with 'bestätigen' at the end.
- Essential for German bureaucracy, work, and official appointments.
What It Means
Think of bestätigen lassen as your ultimate safety net. It is not just about knowing something is true. It is about getting a second person—usually an authority—to put it in writing. You are 'letting' or 'causing' the confirmation to happen. It is the difference between saying 'I am sick' and 'I have a doctor's note.'
How To Use It
You use the verb lassen as the main action. It changes based on who is doing the 'letting.' The word bestätigen stays at the very end of your sentence. For example: Ich muss das bestätigen lassen. You are essentially saying, 'I must have this confirmed.' It works perfectly with documents, appointments, or even rumors you heard at the office coffee machine.
When To Use It
Use this when dealing with German bureaucracy. It is your best friend at the Bürgeramt or the doctor's office. Use it when you need a stamp on a form. Use it when you want to make sure your flight is actually leaving. It is also great for social plans. If a friend is vague about dinner, you might want to bestätigen lassen the time.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for simple facts that don't need proof. You wouldn't bestätigen lassen that the sun is hot. That would sound like you're waiting for a solar scientist to sign a certificate. Also, avoid it in deep emotional heart-to-hearts. Asking a partner to bestätigen lassen their love sounds like you're handing them a legal contract. Keep it for facts and logistics.
Cultural Background
Germany is a land of 'Nachweise' (certificates). There is a famous saying: 'Vertrauen ist gut, Kontrolle ist besser' (Trust is good, control is better). Germans love a good stamp (Stempel). Getting things confirmed is a national pastime. It provides a sense of 'Sicherheit' or security. Without a confirmation, did the event even happen? In the German mind, maybe not.
Common Variations
You will often see sich etwas bestätigen lassen. Adding that sich makes it 'to have something confirmed *for oneself*.' You might also hear schriftlich bestätigen lassen. This means you want it in writing. In the digital age, people now per E-Mail bestätigen lassen. It is the same logic, just with fewer physical stamps and more PDFs.
Notes d'usage
The phrase is highly versatile across all registers. In formal settings, it implies following protocol; in informal settings, it implies checking facts or double-checking plans.
The Email Trick
If you have a verbal agreement, send an email saying: 'Wie besprochen, wollte ich mir dies kurz bestätigen lassen.' This creates a paper trail instantly.
Don't forget the 'mir'
Using 'mir' makes it clear the confirmation is for your records. Without it, the sentence can feel incomplete.
Stamps over Signatures
In many German offices, a signature is good, but a 'Dienststempel' (official stamp) is gold. Always ask: 'Könnten Sie das auch stempeln?'
Exemples
6Ich muss mir das Attest vom Arzt bestätigen lassen.
I need to have the medical certificate confirmed by the doctor.
Standard use for getting official medical proof for work.
Lass dir den Termin für die Party noch mal bestätigen.
Have the date for the party confirmed again.
Informal advice to double-check plans.
Wir sollten uns diese Konditionen schriftlich bestätigen lassen.
We should have these conditions confirmed in writing.
Crucial for business deals to avoid future misunderstandings.
Kann ich mir die Verspätung hier bestätigen lassen?
Can I have the delay confirmed here?
Used to get proof of a late train for a refund.
Ich lasse mir jetzt jeden Einkauf von dir bestätigen!
I'm going to have every grocery trip confirmed by you now!
Joking about someone always forgetting items on the list.
Ich wollte mir nur noch mal dein Interesse bestätigen lassen.
I just wanted to have your interest confirmed one more time.
A slightly vulnerable way to check if someone still cares.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of 'lassen' in the perfect tense.
Ich habe mir den Termin von der Sekretärin _________ _________.
In the perfect tense with an infinitive, 'lassen' uses the Ersatzinfinitiv.
Which sentence is correct for asking a doctor for a note?
A: Ich bestätige das Attest beim Arzt. B: Ich lasse mir das Attest beim Arzt bestätigen.
You need 'lassen' because the doctor is the one doing the confirming.
Match the situation with the correct phrase.
1. Bank, 2. Doctor, 3. Work
These are the standard collocations for these environments.
Complete the dialogue.
Chef: 'Haben Sie das Projekt fertig?' Angestellter: 'Ja, ich muss mir nur noch den Abschluss von der Technik-Abteilung _________ _________.'
The infinitive phrase 'bestätigen lassen' completes the sentence.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesIch habe mir den Termin von der Sekretärin _________ _________.
In the perfect tense with an infinitive, 'lassen' uses the Ersatzinfinitiv.
A: Ich bestätige das Attest beim Arzt. B: Ich lasse mir das Attest beim Arzt bestätigen.
You need 'lassen' because the doctor is the one doing the confirming.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the standard collocations for these environments.
Chef: 'Haben Sie das Projekt fertig?' Angestellter: 'Ja, ich muss mir nur noch den Abschluss von der Technik-Abteilung _________ _________.'
The infinitive phrase 'bestätigen lassen' completes the sentence.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsNo, it is very common for digital confirmations, like email verifications or app notifications.
Yes, but it sounds a bit formal. Use it if you want to be 100% sure about a plan.
'Bestätigen' is general (e.g., a doctor's note), while 'beglaubigen' is for legal documents (e.g., a birth certificate) and requires a notary.
Because you are the one receiving the benefit of the confirmation. It's like saying 'to have confirmed *for me*'.
In Germany, no. It is considered professional and clear communication.
Use the perfect tense: 'Ich habe es mir bestätigen lassen.'
Yes, it's grammatically correct but sounds slightly more detached or objective.
Getting a 'Krankmeldung' (sick note) from a doctor is the #1 use case for learners.
In this context, it means 'to cause' or 'to have someone do something'.
Yes: 'Ich lasse mir die Flugbuchung bestätigen.'
You can say 'Ich brauche eine Bestätigung', but 'bestätigen lassen' is the more natural verbal expression.
Then you just say 'Ich bestätige das.' No 'lassen' needed!
Expressions liées
beglaubigen lassen
specialized formTo have a document notarized.
quittieren lassen
similarTo have a receipt signed.
absegnen lassen
synonymTo get the 'blessing' or approval.
versichern lassen
contrastTo have something insured.
unterschreiben lassen
builds onTo have someone sign something.
