0

Here is the context, I have bought something and have the seller bring the stuff to my house because it is too heavy. They can do it for free, or I need to additionally pay for the transport cost. If translating this to german, it sounds weird (not sure if it's correct):

  • Ich lasse sie das Möbel ins Haus bringen.

"Sie" and "das Möbel" are of accusative objects.

On the internet, I found in this similar context, only one object is used, for example:

  • Man lässt den Fernseher laufen, wenn Besuch kommt. (active)
  • Ich lasse morgen meine Haare schneiden. (passive)

In english, we simply say: "I have the seller bring the furniture to my house". How can I express the same idea in german? (with two objects at the same time: the seller and the furniture).

8
  • 5
    @jonathan.scholbach, please do not use moderator privileges to close a question unless it is a very obvious case.
    – Carsten S
    Jan 11, 2021 at 19:39
  • 1
    The question has some aspects (especially the whether two accusative objects are acceptable) which are not covered by a dictionary.
    – RHa
    Jan 11, 2021 at 20:03
  • @CarstenS I think, this is an obvious case. leo.org, which I linked in my explanatory comment, says "jmdn. etw. [acc.] tun lassen", so I would say, it does answer the question, whether two accusative objects are acceptable. You seem to have a different point of view. What is it that I am overseeing? Jan 11, 2021 at 20:05
  • Following the suggested link, I got the answer ("Ich lasse meine Tochter ihr Zimmer aufräumen."). Although the entry in the dictionary is about "have somebody do something", it is close to what I want ("let somebody do something"). Jan 11, 2021 at 20:58
  • 1
    I think "Ich lasse morgen meine Haare schneiden." is not passive. Passive is "Die Haare werden geschnitten", i.e. "The hair is cut", "lassen" (let) does not make the sentence passive. It has a fixed form (werden + perfekt or sein + perfekt).
    – peterh
    Jan 12, 2021 at 7:49

1 Answer 1

1

A dictionary lookup tells us that to have someone do something translates to jmndn. etw.acc. tun lassen.

jmndn. is short for jemanden, which in turn is the acccusative form of jemand, and etw. is short for etwas. Since the dictionary explicitely states that etw. must be accusative as well, we can take from there that it is totally fine to have two accusative objects in this construction: The person who is made to do something, as well as the thing that is being done. So, yes,

Ich lasse sie das Möbel ins Haus bringen.

is correct. If you were referring to plural furniture, it would be

Ich lasse sie die Möbel ins Haus bringen.

1
  • 1
    The word Möbel is mostly used in the plural, so "das Möbel ins Haus bringen" (even if it is correct) can sound unnatural. It would be better to say "das Möbelstück ins Haus bringen".
    – mtwde
    Jan 12, 2021 at 13:36

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.