The 'Can Be Done' Shortcut (sich lassen)
sich lassen construction is the most natural way to express possibility and passive meaning in everyday German.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'sich lassen' + infinitive to express that something is possible to do, effectively replacing the passive voice.
- Use 'sich lassen' + infinitive for potential: 'Das lässt sich machen' (That can be done).
- The subject of the sentence is the object of the action: 'Die Tür lässt sich öffnen' (The door can be opened).
- It carries a passive meaning but uses active voice structure: 'Das lässt sich leicht erklären' (That can be easily explained).
Overview
Ever tried to open das Marmeladenglas (the jam jar) and it just won't budge? You want to say 'It can't be opened.' But the German passive voice feels like a heavy workout. This is where sich lassen saves your day.
It is the ultimate shortcut for modern life. It turns complex passive sentences into simple, active-sounding ones. You will hear this in coffee shops and boardrooms alike.
It sounds natural. It sounds cool. Most importantly, it is efficient.
Just like a good espresso on a Monday morning. It is the 'it can be done' button of the German language.
This grammar pattern is a 'Passive Substitute.' That sounds technical, but don't panic. It just means you use the verb lassen (to let/allow) to express possibility. It replaces the formal passive construction können + Passiv.
Instead of saying 'Something can be done,' you say 'Something lets itself be done.' It sounds a bit like the thing is doing the work itself. Think of a door that 'lets itself' be opened. Or a problem that 'lets itself' be solved.
It makes your German feel less like a textbook. It makes you sound like you have lived in Berlin for years. Even if you just arrived yesterday.
Use it to talk about tech issues, social plans, or even your favorite Netflix show. It is a powerful tool for your linguistic toolkit. Why use ten words when four will do?
That is the German way. And now, it is your way too.
How This Grammar Works
Die Datei kann heruntergeladen werden. That is a mouthful.sich lassen hack simplifies this. You take das Subjekt (the thing you are talking about).lassen. You add the reflexive pronoun sich. Finally, you throw the main verb at the end in the infinitive.Partizip II forms for every single verb. Win-win!Formation Pattern
lassen for that subject. For 'it' (das Problem), it is lässt.
sich. This stays the same regardless of the subject's gender.
-en form).
lassen (Present Tense):
When To Use It
Das lässt sich machen. It is the German equivalent of 'I'm on it.'Common Mistakes
sich. Without sich, the sentence changes meaning. Das lässt machen sounds like you are leaving a task for someone else. You need sich to create that passive 'possibility' vibe. Another mistake is trying to add 'by someone' (von jemandem). In a normal passive sentence, you can say who does the action. With sich lassen, you usually can't. The focus is entirely on the object. Don't use it for things that happen automatically. For example, 'The sun can be seen' is usually better with man kann ... sehen. Use sich lassen for actions where someone could do something. Also, watch your word order in sub-clauses. In a weil clause, the conjugated lässt goes to the very end. ... weil es sich machen lässt. If you put it anywhere else, a German teacher might cry. And we don't want that. Finally, don't overthink the 'letting' part. It doesn't mean the object is giving permission. It is just a grammatical quirk. Your pizza doesn't 'permit' you to eat it. But 'Es lässt sich essen' means it's edible. And hopefully tasty!Contrast With Similar Patterns
sich lassen feels more 'built-in.' It suggests that the car itself has the quality of being repairable. The standard passive feels more like a specific event.können + Passiv is the academic version. sich lassen is the street-smart version. Another similar pattern is sein + zu + Infinitive.Das ist zu machen (That is to be done). This often implies an obligation or a command. sich lassen is strictly about possibility.sich lassen, you are focusing on the potential of the situation. You are being the 'Possibility Person.' And everyone loves a Possibility Person. Especially at a party.Quick FAQ
Can I use this in the past tense?
Yes! Just change lässt to ließ. 'Das ließ sich nicht vermeiden' (That couldn't be avoided).
Is it formal or informal?
Both! It is common in newspapers and in casual WhatsApp chats. It is a true all-rounder.
Does it work with every verb?
Most transitive verbs (verbs that take an object) work. You can't really 'let yourself' sleep in this way.
Why not just use können?
You can! But sich lassen makes you sound more like a native speaker. It's a style choice.
Is sich always sich?
For objects (it/they), yes. If you talk about 'we,' it becomes uns. 'Wir lassen uns nicht stressen.'
What if I forget the sich?
The sentence will feel incomplete. It's like a bike without a chain. It won't go anywhere.
Is this on the A1 exam?
Usually not as a main topic. But using it correctly is a huge 'bonus points' move. It shows you know the real German. Not just the classroom version. Go forth and use it! Your German friends will be impressed. Your phone might even start working better. (Disclaimer: Grammar does not actually fix broken screens).
Conjugation of 'sich lassen'
| Person | Conjugation |
|---|---|
|
ich
|
lasse mich
|
|
du
|
lässt dich
|
|
er/sie/es
|
lässt sich
|
|
wir
|
lassen uns
|
|
ihr
|
lasst euch
|
|
sie/Sie
|
lassen sich
|
Meanings
This construction expresses potentiality or feasibility, serving as a stylistic alternative to the passive voice with 'können' + past participle.
Potential Passive
Something is capable of being acted upon.
“Das lässt sich reparieren.”
“Die Frage lässt sich einfach beantworten.”
Permission/Allowing
To allow oneself to be something (less common in this specific B2 context).
“Er lässt sich nicht stören.”
“Sie lässt sich nicht beirren.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Subj + lässt sich + Inf
|
Das lässt sich lösen.
|
|
Negative
|
Subj + lässt sich nicht + Inf
|
Das lässt sich nicht lösen.
|
|
Question
|
Lässt sich + Subj + Inf?
|
Lässt sich das lösen?
|
|
Past
|
Subj + ließ sich + Inf
|
Das ließ sich lösen.
|
Formality Spectrum
Das Problem lässt sich lösen. (Professional meeting)
Das lässt sich lösen. (Professional meeting)
Das kriegen wir hin. (Professional meeting)
Läuft. (Professional meeting)
The 'sich lassen' ecosystem
Usage
- Potential Possibility
- Passive Passive alternative
Examples by Level
Das lässt sich machen.
That can be done.
Die Tür lässt sich öffnen.
The door can be opened.
Das lässt sich leicht erklären.
That can be easily explained.
Dieses Problem lässt sich nicht ignorieren.
This problem cannot be ignored.
Die Auswirkungen lassen sich kaum abschätzen.
The effects can hardly be estimated.
Solche Phänomene lassen sich nur schwer in Worte fassen.
Such phenomena are difficult to put into words.
Easily Confused
Both express passive ideas.
Common Mistakes
Das lässt machen.
Das lässt sich machen.
Das lässt sich gemacht.
Das lässt sich machen.
Er lässt sich das machen.
Das lässt sich machen.
Das lässt sich zu machen.
Das lässt sich machen.
Sentence Patterns
Das ___ sich ___.
Real World Usage
Das lässt sich bis morgen erledigen.
Focus on Objects
Smart Tips
Use 'sich lassen' to sound professional.
Pronunciation
Stress
Stress the first syllable of 'lassen'.
Statement
Das lässt sich ↘machen.
Confident assertion of possibility.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'sich lassen' as a 'doable' magnet. It pulls the action to the end of the sentence.
Visual Association
Imagine a heavy box labeled 'Problem'. You push it, and it slides easily. The label on the box says 'lässt sich lösen'.
Rhyme
If you want to say 'it can be done', use 'sich lassen' and have fun.
Story
Hans has a broken watch. He tries to fix it. He says, 'Diese Uhr lässt sich reparieren.' He feels confident. He fixes it easily.
Word Web
Challenge
Find 3 things in your room and write a sentence for each using 'lässt sich'.
Cultural Notes
Germans value efficiency; this phrase is a staple in meetings.
Derived from the verb 'lassen' (to let/allow).
Conversation Starters
Lässt sich dieses Problem einfach lösen?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
Das Problem ___ sich lösen.
Score: /1
Practice Exercises
1 exercisesDas Problem ___ sich lösen.
Score: /1
Practice Bank
10 exercisessich / Das / machen / lässt
The door can be opened.
___ sich der Fehler finden?
Match the pairs:
Choose the past tense version of 'Das lässt sich nicht vermeiden'.
Die Fenster lassen sich nicht öffnet.
Diese Fragen lassen ___ nicht so einfach beantworten.
nicht / Das Buch / sich / lässt / verkaufen
The password can be changed.
To say 'It can be done':
Score: /10
FAQ (1)
Generally no, it's for objects.
Scaffolded Practice
1
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Se puede hacer
German uses a reflexive verb structure.
Cela peut se faire
German word order is stricter.
Das lässt sich machen
N/A
できる (dekiru)
German uses a two-part verb.
يمكن فعله
German is more specific.
可以做
German is more formal.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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