sich lassen + infinitive

Often 'can be done' / 'is possible to':

• Das Problem lässt sich lösen.

bekommen/kriegen + Partizip II

Someone receives the effect of an action:

• Ich bekomme das Fenster repariert.

Register

kriegen is more colloquial; bekommen is safer in neutral writing.

Contrast

Classic process passive: Das Fenster wird repariert. — focuses on the thing; bekommen-style focuses on the person affected.

Practice

Rewrite three passive sentences from an article using sich lassen where the meaning still fits.

Practical Examples

• Das Problem lässt sich leicht lösen.
• The problem can be easily solved.
• Usage Note: Used to express that something is possible or feasible, often as an alternative to "man kann".

• Diese Tür lässt sich nicht mehr öffnen.
• This door can no longer be opened.
• Usage Note: Expresses impossibility or that something is not feasible.

• Lässt sich das reparieren?
• Can that be repaired?
• Usage Note: A common way to ask about the feasibility of repairing something.

• Solche Fehler lassen sich oft durch bessere Planung vermeiden.
• Such mistakes can often be avoided through better planning.
• Usage Note: Highlights the general possibility or potential for an action to occur.

• Die Schönheit der Landschaft lässt sich kaum in Worte fassen.
• The beauty of the landscape can hardly be put into words.
• Usage Note: Implies that an action is very difficult or almost impossible to perform adequately.

• Mit diesem Werkzeug lässt sich präziser arbeiten.
• With this tool, one can work more precisely / it's possible to work more precisely.
• Usage Note: Used when the agent is unspecified, focusing on the possibility of the action itself.

• Er bekam die Stelle angeboten.
• He was offered the job.
• Usage Note: The "bekommen"-passive (or "kriegen"-passive) focuses on the recipient of an action, often when they receive something beneficial or detrimental.

• Sie bekam ein neues Fahrrad geschenkt.
• She was given a new bicycle.
• Usage Note: Emphasizes that the subject is the recipient of the gift, not the one giving it.

• Hast du die E-Mail schon bekommen geschickt?
• Have you already been sent the email?
• Usage Note: A direct way to ask if the subject has received something that was sent to them.

• Ich habe die Rechnung noch nicht bekommen zugeschickt.
• I haven't been sent the invoice yet.
• Usage Note: A negation indicating that the subject has not yet received what was intended for them.

• Der Patient bekam die Medikamente verabreicht.
• The patient was administered the medication.
• Usage Note: Common in formal contexts, highlighting the patient as the recipient of medical treatment.

• Wir haben die Tickets endlich gekriegt zugesandt.
• We finally got the tickets sent to us.
• Usage Note: "Kriegen"-passive is an informal alternative to "bekommen"-passive, meaning the same.

• Sie bekam die Wahrheit gesagt.
• She was told the truth.
• Usage Note: Focuses on the subject as the recipient of information, often something important.

• Er bekam die Strafe auferlegt.
• He was given the penalty.
• Usage Note: Used when the subject receives a negative consequence or punishment.

• Bekommst du oft Komplimente gemacht?
• Are you often given compliments?
• Usage Note: Asks if the subject frequently receives compliments from others.