/lɛ.se/
Translation
to leave, to let, to allow
Word origin
From Latin laxare ('to loosen, to slacken, to release'), from laxus ('loose, slack'). The same root gave English lax, release and relax.
- Origin
- Latin
- Root
- laxare
- English cognates
- lax, release, relax, languish
Grammar
Conjugation
Regular -er conjugation. Pronouns: je, tu, il/elle, nous, vous, ils/elles.
Indicative
| Person | Present | Imperfect | Past historic | Future | Conditional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| je | laisse | laissais | laissai | laisserai | laisserais |
| tu | laisses | laissais | laissas | laisseras | laisserais |
| il/elle | laisse | laissait | laissa | laissera | laisserait |
| nous | laissons | laissions | laissâmes | laisserons | laisserions |
| vous | laissez | laissiez | laissâtes | laisserez | laisseriez |
| ils/elles | laissent | laissaient | laissèrent | laisseront | laisseraient |
Subjunctive
| Person | Present | Imperfect |
|---|---|---|
| je | laisse | laissasse |
| tu | laisses | laissasses |
| il/elle | laisse | laissât |
| nous | laissions | laissassions |
| vous | laissiez | laissassiez |
| ils/elles | laissent | laissassent |
Imperative
| Person | Affirmative |
|---|---|
| tu | laisse |
| nous | laissons |
| vous | laissez |
Non-finite
- Gerund / present participle
- laissant
- Past participle
- laissé · laissée · laissés · laissées
Examples
.
Let the children play outside a little longer.
.
She left her bag in the taxi.
' .
He let me use his car for the end of the week.
l', .
You can leave your shoes at the entrance, thank you.
.
You shouldn't leave the dog alone for too long.
Where this fits
Used in
Stories
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laisser: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the French word "laisser" (to leave, to let, to allow): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is part of lesson 3.