The idea
“Sich Zeit lassen” takes a dative reflexive: Lass dir Zeit, Lasst euch Zeit, Lassen Sie sich Zeit. The thing you take time over follows mit + dative. In imperatives and suggestions the particle “ruhig” signals permission, not calm. “Sich festlegen” means to commit to a choice; “sich nicht sofort festlegen müssen” removes the pressure politely.
Other ways to say it
“Lassen Sie sich ruhig Zeit.” – Formal version for customers, patients or colleagues you say Sie to.
“Kein Stress, überleg es dir in Ruhe.” – Casual among friends; Stress is a common everyday loanword.
“Du kannst es dir in Ruhe überlegen.” – Neutral and kind; avoids the imperative.
Examples
- Lass dir mit der Entscheidung ruhig Zeit.Take your time with the decision.
- Bis wann brauchst du meine Antwort?By when do you need my answer?
- Eine Rückmeldung bis Sonntag reicht völlig.A reply by Sunday is quite enough.
- Dann schaue ich mir beide Vorschläge an.Then I will look at both suggestions.
- Du musst dich nicht sofort festlegen.You do not have to commit immediately.
- Danke, so kann ich in Ruhe vergleichen.Thanks; that lets me compare them at leisure.
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Watch out
“Nimm deine Zeit mit der Entscheidung.” → “Lass dir Zeit mit der Entscheidung.”: “Take your time” is a fixed English phrase; German does not take time in this sense but lets itself have it: “sich Zeit lassen”, with dir as a dative reflexive.
Try it yourself
Translate into German: Take your time with the decision.
Show answer or example answer
Lass dir mit der Entscheidung ruhig Zeit.
“Lass” is the du imperative of lassen, “dir” the dative reflexive. “Mit der Entscheidung” names the matter, “ruhig” reassures, and “Zeit” ends the sentence.
Put the words in order: bis / Eine / reicht / Rückmeldung / Sonntag / völlig
Show answer or example answer
Eine Rückmeldung bis Sonntag reicht völlig.
“Bis Sonntag” sets the deadline inside the noun phrase “eine Rückmeldung bis Sonntag”, which is the subject. “Völlig” strengthens “reicht”: it is fully sufficient.
Write this sentence in German: Thanks; that lets me compare them at leisure.
Show answer or example answer
Danke, so kann ich in Ruhe vergleichen.
“So” means this way and takes position one, so “kann” comes before “ich”. “In Ruhe vergleichen” means comparing without hurry.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Translate into German: Take your time with the decision.
Lass dir mit der Entscheidung ruhig Zeit.
Put the words in order: bis / Eine / reicht / Rückmeldung / Sonntag / völlig
Eine Rückmeldung bis Sonntag reicht völlig.
Write this sentence in German: Thanks; that lets me compare them at leisure.
Danke, so kann ich in Ruhe vergleichen.
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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A friend cannot decide whether to join your holiday trip. Write a message telling her to take her time and when you need her answer.