laisser at B2 — the subjunctive
On this page
Reflexive, it means letting things happen to you.
Se laisser faire
Se laisser + infinitive means to let something happen to oneself: « ne te laisse pas faire » — don’t let them walk over you. It is a common piece of advice and carries real warmth.
Se laisser tenter means to give in to temptation — « je me suis laissé tenter » is what you say about the dessert. And se laisser aller means to let oneself go, either relaxing or, less kindly, declining.
💡 Focus at this level: se laisser & the subjunctive
👨🏫 How to use « laisser » at this level
1. « Ne te laisse pas faire » = stand up for yourself.
2. « Je me suis laissé tenter » is charming and very common.
3. Reflexive takes être in the past.
Ne te laisse pas faire.Don’t let them push you around.
Je me suis laissé tenter.I gave in to temptation.
Il se laisse aller.He’s letting himself go.
Il faut que tu me laisses essayer.You need to let me try.
🎮 Practise « laisser »
Play the free French games → · Back to the full « laisser » chart →
Learn faster with a native teacherYour first 20-minute lesson is free — no card, no commitment.
Book a free lesson