The idea
The structure is lassen + reflexive + infinitive: lass dich nicht stören (du), lasst euch nicht stören (ihr), lassen Sie sich nicht stören (Sie). “Beim + nominalised verb” names the activity: beim Lesen, beim Essen. Nur downplays your own action. “Nicht zu + infinitive brauchen” means there is no need: “Ihr braucht eure Unterhaltung nicht zu unterbrechen.” Meinetwegen here means because of me.
Other ways to say it
“Lasst euch nicht stören!” – Short and casual for a group; the most common form.
“Lassen Sie sich bitte nicht stören.” – Formal; for entering a meeting room or office.
“Macht ruhig weiter, ich bin gleich wieder weg.” – Casual; tells the group to carry on and promises a short visit.
Examples
- Lasst euch von mir nicht beim Lesen stören.Do not let me disturb your reading.
- Musst du lange in dem Schrank suchen?Do you need to search the cupboard for long?
- Nein, ich hole nur meine Unterlagen.No, I am only getting my documents.
- Dann lesen wir einfach weiter.Then we will simply carry on reading.
- Ihr braucht eure Unterhaltung meinetwegen nicht zu unterbrechen.You do not need to interrupt your conversation because of me.
- Gut, sag Bescheid, falls du etwas brauchst.Good; let us know if you need anything.
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Watch out
“Stört euch nicht von mir.” → “Lasst euch von mir nicht stören.”: Stören alone means to disturb someone else. To say “do not let yourselves be disturbed”, German needs lassen with the reflexive pronoun.
Try it yourself
Translate into German: Do not let me disturb your reading.
Show answer or example answer
Lasst euch von mir nicht beim Lesen stören.
Lasst is the ihr imperative, euch the reflexive, stören the infinitive at the end. “Von mir” names the cause, “beim Lesen” the activity.
Put the words in order: hole / ich / meine / Nein / nur / Unterlagen
Show answer or example answer
Nein, ich hole nur meine Unterlagen.
Nein answers the question. Nur shows the task is small and quick; holen means to fetch.
Write this sentence in German: Good; let us know if you need anything.
Show answer or example answer
Gut, sag Bescheid, falls du etwas brauchst.
“Bescheid sagen” means to let someone know. Falls sends brauchst to the end of its clause.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Translate into German: Do not let me disturb your reading.
Lasst euch von mir nicht beim Lesen stören.
Put the words in order: hole / ich / meine / Nein / nur / Unterlagen
Nein, ich hole nur meine Unterlagen.
Write this sentence in German: Good; let us know if you need anything.
Gut, sag Bescheid, falls du etwas brauchst.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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You need to fetch a charger from the living room while your flatmates are watching a film. Tell them in one sentence not to let you disturb them, and say what you are getting.