lasciare

Lasciare is a common Italian verb with several related meanings centered on the idea of relinquishing, permitting, or going away. In its most basic sense it means to leave something or someone behind, as in Ho lasciato le chiavi sul tavolo (I left the keys on the table). It can also mean to abandon or quit, as in Ha lasciato il lavoro (He/She left the job). In addition, lasciare can express permission or allowance, often in constructions like Lascia che lo faccia (Let me do it) or Lasciare che succeda (to let happen).

Lasciare is a transitive verb and commonly used with direct objects and pronouns, for example Lo lascio qui (I’ll leave it here). It can also be used with phrases meaning “to leave intact” or “to leave behind,” such as Lasciare indietro un passato alle spalle (to leave something behind). In further sense, it is used with inanimate objects, places, or people, and in many set expressions such as lasciare perdere (to drop it, not pursue), lasciare stare (to leave alone), or lasciare in eredità (to bequeath).

Conjugation follows the standard -are pattern. Present: io lascio, tu lasci, lui/lei lascia, noi lasciamo, voi lasciate, loro lasciano. Passato prossimo: ho lasciato, hai lasciato, ha lasciato, abbiamo lasciato, avete lasciato, hanno lasciato. Imperfecto: lasciavo, lasciavi, lasciava, lasciavamo, lasciavate, lasciavano. Futuro: lascerò, lascerai, lascerà, lasceremo, lascerete, lasceranno. Condizionale presente: lascerei, lasceresti, lascerebbe, lasceremmo, lascereste, lascerebbero.

Etymology traces the verb to Latin laxāre, related to loosening, and it has cognates in other Romance languages. The term also forms numerous phrasal uses and idioms that expand its meanings beyond the literal act of leaving.