låta

Låta is a Swedish verb meaning to let, allow, or permit someone to do something, and it can also convey causing something to happen. It can express permission or foster an action, and in some contexts it denotes the impression or sound of something, as in det låter bra, meaning “that sounds good.” The verb is common in both everyday speech and formal writing.

Usage and construction: Låta often combines with another verb in the infinitive to express permissive or causative meaning, for example: Låt mig gå (Let me go); Låt honom prata (Let him speak); Låt oss börja (Let us begin). The present tense forms are jag låter, du låter, han/hon låter, vi låter, ni låter, de låter. The past tense is lät, and the supine or perfect participle is låtit. The imperative forms include låt (singular informal), låt oss (let us), and låt (plural). A common fixed expression is låta bli, meaning to refrain from, as in Låt bli att skryta (Stop boasting).

Other meanings: Låta can function as a linking sense of perception, meaning “to sound” or “to seem,” as in Det låter bra. In perfect tenses, one uses har låtit to form phrases like Jag har låtit henne gå (I have let her go).

Etymology and related forms: Låta derives from Old Norse láta and is cognate with Danish lade and Norwegian late, reflecting a shared Germanic heritage. The noun låt, meaning a song or musical piece, is related but distinct in meaning; its plural is låtar.