zurücklässt

Zurücklässt is the third-person singular present indicative form of the German verb zurücklassen, meaning to leave behind when departing or to leave behind a trace, memory, or consequence. The term is used both literally and figuratively.

Etymology and sense: zurücklassen combines the prefix zurück- with lassen (to leave). It conveys that something is left at a place rather than taken with you. The concept is closely related to hinterlassen, which also means to leave something behind but often emphasizes the result for others or the future.

Usage: The verb can describe leaving physical objects behind, such as equipment or personal belongings, when leaving a location. It can also be used figuratively to indicate that a person or action has left a trace, memory, or lasting effect. In narrative or formal contexts, zurücklassen may appear when describing consequences, residues, or symbolic imprints.

Conjugation and forms: Infinitive zurücklassen; past participle zurückgelassen; present tense 3rd person singular form and the one-word spelling used for this tense is zurücklässt. The past tense forms are built with ließ zurück (simple past) or hat zurückgelassen (present perfect), depending on the tense.

Examples:

- Der Autofahrer lässt einen Zettel im Wagen zurück.

- Nach dem Besuch ließ er Spuren in der Stadt zurück.

- Der Forscher lässt eine Notiz zurück, die weitere Untersuchungen ermöglicht.

Related terms include hinterlassen (to leave behind for someone or as a legacy) and bleiben hinterlassen—both highlight different nuances of leaving something behind.