das  Verlassen

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/fɛɐ̯ˈlasn̩/

📖 What does "das Verlassen" mean?

Das Verlassen is the nominalized form (Substantivierung) of the German verb verlassen (to leave). It refers to the act or state of leaving itself.

• It usually means the departure or the act of leaving a place or a person.
• It can also mean abandonment or desertion, often carrying a negative connotation (e.g., das Verlassen der Familie - the abandonment of the family).

Because it's a nominalized verb, it's always neuter (sächlich) in German and therefore takes the article das.

⚠️ Be careful: Don't confuse the noun das Verlassen with the verb verlassen (e.g., "Ich verlasse das Haus" - I am leaving the house) or the past participle verlassen used as an adjective (e.g., "ein verlassenes Haus" - an abandoned house). This entry focuses on the noun das Verlassen.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📐 Grammar of 'das Verlassen' in Detail

Das Verlassen is a noun (Nomen or Substantiv) and has a neuter gender (sächliches Geschlecht). It is mostly used only in the singular, as it describes an abstract process.

Declension (Singular)

A plural form ("die Verlassen") is grammatically possible but extremely rare and unusual.

Example Sentences

1. Das Verlassen des Schiffes erfolgte geordnet.
   (The leaving of the ship proceeded in an orderly manner.)
2. Wir gedachten des plötzlichen Verlassens unseres Freundes.
   (We remembered the sudden departure of our friend.)
3. Nach dem Verlassen des Raumes fühlte sie sich besser.
   (After leaving the room, she felt better.)
4. Er bedauerte das Verlassen seiner Heimatstadt.
   (He regretted leaving his hometown.)

🗣️ How 'das Verlassen' is Used

Das Verlassen is often used in more formal contexts or to emphasize the act itself:

• Formal instructions/descriptions: "Das Verlassen des Geländes nach 22 Uhr ist untersagt." (Leaving the premises after 10 PM is prohibited.) Here, the action is described neutrally.
• Emotional contexts: "Das Verlassen durch ihren Partner hat sie tief getroffen." (The abandonment by her partner deeply affected her.) Here, the meaning often implies 'desertion' or 'separation'.
• Abstract discussions: One can talk about "das Verlassen" as a concept, e.g., in psychological or sociological texts.

In everyday language, Germans often use the verb verlassen or a different noun like die Abreise (departure), der Abschied (farewell), or die Trennung (separation). For instance, "Sein Weggang war plötzlich" (His departure was sudden) often sounds more natural than "Sein Verlassen war plötzlich", although both are grammatically correct.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'das Verlassen'

For the article 'das': Remember that German nouns formed directly from verbs (nominalized verbs) are almost always neuter (das). Think of: das Gehen (the walking), das Laufen (the running), das Sprechen (the speaking)... and thus also das Verlassen (the leaving). The article das fits these 'process' nouns.

For the meaning: The verb verlassen contains lassen (to let, to leave behind). Imagine someone leaving something behind – maybe a heavy load (Last in German sounds a bit like lassen)? Das Verlassen is the specific act or moment when one leaves something or someone.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

🚨 Similar-sounding words: The adjective/participle verlassen (e.g., "ein verlassenes Haus" - an abandoned house) describes a state, not the act itself.

😄 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: "Auf was können wir uns bei Ihnen verlassen?" Azubi: "Auf mein pünktliches Verlassen des Büros um 17 Uhr!"

English Translation: The boss asks the new trainee: "What can we rely on ('verlassen') with you?" Trainee: "On my punctual leaving ('Verlassen') of the office at 5 PM!"

(Note: The joke plays on the verb 'sich verlassen auf' meaning 'to rely on' and the noun 'das Verlassen' meaning 'the leaving'.)

📜 Poem about Leaving (das Verlassen)

German:
Ein leiser Schritt, die Tür fällt zu,
das Verlassen lässt oft keine Ruh'.
Ein Ort bleibt leer, ein Herz wird schwer,
manchmal ein Muss, oft tut es weh, so sehr.
Doch im Verlassen, fern und nah,
liegt oft ein Neuanfang schon da.

English Translation:
A quiet step, the door clicks shut,
the leaving often gives no rest.
A place stays empty, a heart grows heavy,
sometimes a must, often it hurts so much, already.
But in the leaving, far and near,
often a new beginning is already here.

❓ Riddle

German:
Ich bin ein Akt, kein Ort, kein Ding zum Sehen,
ich passiere, wenn Menschen oder Züge gehen.
Mal bin ich schmerzlich, mal nur Pflicht,
manchmal gewünscht, manchmal auch nicht.
Mein Artikel ist sächlich, das ist klar,
ich bin das Gegenteil von 'Bleiben' oder 'Da'.

Was bin ich? Lösung: Das Verlassen

English Translation:
I am an act, not a place, not a thing to see,
I happen when people or trains flee.
Sometimes I'm painful, sometimes just duty's plight,
sometimes desired, sometimes not quite.
My article is neuter, that much is clear,
I'm the opposite of 'staying' or 'here'.

What am I? Answer: Das Verlassen (The leaving/abandonment)

🧩 Word Details & Trivia

Word Formation:

• Das Verlassen is a Substantivierung (nominalization) of the verb verlassen (to leave).
• The verb verlassen itself comes from lassen (in the sense of leave behind, abandon) with the prefix ver-, which often indicates completion, removal, or sometimes a negative turn.

Cultural Aspects:

The theme of "Verlassen" (leaving) and "Verlassenwerden" (being left/abandoned) is a common motif in German literature, music, and film, often associated with feelings like grief, loss, but also liberation or a new beginning.