The verbs lassen, brauchen and werden

These verbs can function as a full verb or as an auxiliary verb, depending on the context.
Distinguishing them correctly helps you use German more naturally and accurately.

1. The verb "lassen"

🔹 1.1. When "lassen" is a full verb

It means "to leave (behind)", "to allow", or "to leave somewhere".

ℹ️ **Formula**

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Subjekt + lassen (conjugated) + Akkusativ + (Ort/Ergänzung)

Example:

Ich lasse mein Handy zu Hause.
(I leave my phone at home.)

Er lässt die Tür offen.
(He leaves the door open.)

🔹 1.2. When "lassen" is an auxiliary verb

Used to express an action that is asked for, allowed, or made to happen.

ℹ️ **Formula**

💡

Subjekt + lassen (conjugated) + Objekt (Akkusativ) + Infinitiv

Example:

Ich lasse mein Auto reparieren.
(I am having my car repaired.)

Er lässt seine Haare schneiden.
(He is getting his hair cut.)

Ich lasse dich gehen.
(I let you go.)

2. The verb "brauchen"

🔹 2.1. When "brauchen" is a full verb

It means "to need" and is used with the Akkusativ.

ℹ️ **Formula**

💡

Subjekt + brauchen (conjugated) + Akkusativ

Example:

Ich brauche einen neuen Laptop.
(I need a new laptop.)

Sie braucht Hilfe.
(She needs help.)

🔹 2.2. When "brauchen" is an auxiliary verb

Used with "zu + Infinitiv" to express that something is not necessary. Usually in negative sentences.

ℹ️ **Formula**

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Subjekt + brauchen (conjugated) + nicht/kein + zu + Infinitiv

Example:

Du brauchst nicht zu kommen.
(You don't need to come.)

Er braucht kein Ticket zu kaufen.
(He doesn't need to buy a ticket.)

3. The verb "werden"

🔹 3.1. When "werden" is a full verb

It means "to become", "to turn into".

ℹ️ **Formula**

💡

Subjekt + werden (conjugated) + Nominativ

Example:

Er wird Arzt.
(He becomes a doctor.)

Es wird kalt.
(It's getting cold.)

🔹 3.2. When "werden" is an auxiliary verb

3.2.1. Used in the future tense (Futur I)

ℹ️ **Formula**

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Subjekt + werden (conjugated) + Infinitiv

Example:

Ich werde morgen nach Berlin fahren.
(I will go to Berlin tomorrow.)

Sie wird einen Brief schreiben.
(She will write a letter.)

3.2.2. Used in the passive voice (Passiv)

ℹ️ **Formula**

💡

Subjekt + werden (conjugated) + Partizip II

Example:

Das Haus wird gebaut.
(The house is being built.)

Der Brief wird geschrieben.
(The letter is being written.)

🎯 4. Summary

Verb	Full verb	Auxiliary verb
lassen	To leave (Ich lasse mein Buch hier.)	To have someone do something (Ich lasse mein Auto reparieren.)
brauchen	To need (Ich brauche ein Auto.)	Not to need to do something (Du brauchst nicht zu kommen.)
werden	To become (Er wird Arzt.)	Future or passive (Das Haus wird gebaut.)

ℹ️ Exercise

Practice exercises

Apply what you've just learned about lassen, brauchen, werden:

📝 B1 exercise overview

Practice these special verbs with their various functions.