adjectiveverb

verlassen

leave · abandon

Wenn jemand einen Ort oder eine Person zurücklässt und weggeht.

Definition & meaning

verlassen is a German verb with several related meanings:

To leave a place or person: to go away from somewhere or someone.
Example: “to leave the house” or “to leave a partner.”
To abandon someone or something: to stop caring for, supporting, or using them.
It can sound more final or emotionally charged than simply “leave.”
In the reflexive construction sich auf jemanden/etwas verlassen , it means to rely on or count on someone or something.

The past participle can also be used as an adjective meaning abandoned, deserted, or, in some contexts, lonely: verlassen .

Grammar & Word origin

verlassen is an irregular, strong verb with an inseparable prefix. Its principal forms are verließ (simple past) and verlassen (past participle). It uses haben [?](vocabuo://word/haben] as its perfect-tense auxiliary.

In the sense “to leave” or “abandon,” it usually takes a direct object in the accusative. In the sense “to rely on,” it is used reflexively with auf plus the accusative.

The verb combines the prefix ver- with lassen , “to let” or “to leave.” The prefix contributes to the sense of leaving or giving something up.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms vary by meaning:

weggehen — “to go away”; emphasizes departing from a place, rather than abandoning someone.
zurücklassen — “to leave behind”; highlights that someone or something remains behind.
aufgeben — “to give up” or “abandon”; emphasizes stopping an effort or commitment.
sich verlassen auf — a close equivalent when verlassen means “to rely on.”
sich stützen auf — “to rely on” or “base oneself on”; often suggests support or a basis for a decision.