verbverb

unterlassen

refrain · stop

Etwas bewusst nicht tun, obwohl man es könnte oder sollte.

Definition & meaning

The verb unterlassen primarily means to refrain from doing something or to fail to perform an action that is expected or required. It is used in two main contexts:

To refrain or cease: This refers to deliberately not doing something or stopping a current behavior. For example, if someone is told to stop smoking in a non-smoking area, the authority might say: "Bitte unterlassen Sie das Rauchen." (Please refrain from smoking).
Omission or neglect: This refers to failing to do something that one should have done, often carrying a sense of duty or legal obligation. A common legal term is "unterlassene Hilfeleistung," which refers to the failure to provide first aid or assistance in an emergency.

Grammar & Word origin

The word unterlassen is an inseparable prefix verb. Even though it begins with unter, the prefix does not split from the main verb in any tense.

Infinitive: unterlassen
Present: ich unterlasse, du unterlässt, er/sie/es unterlässt
Simple Past: ich unterließ
Past Participle: hat unterlassen

The word is a combination of the prefix unter (under/between) and the base verb lassen (to let/leave). In this specific combination, the meaning shifts from "letting" to "leaving something undone" or "omitting."

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

aufhören (to stop/cease)
versäumen (to neglect or miss an opportunity/duty)
verzichten (to forgo or do without)
vermeiden (to avoid)
einstellen (to discontinue/halt)

Antonyms:

tun (to do)
machen (to make/do)
fortsetzen (to continue)
ausführen (to execute or carry out)
begehen (to commit or perform, often used as the opposite of omission in legal contexts)