Breakdown of Für unsere Radtour lasse ich meinen Helm im Kofferraum liegen.
in
in
dem
the; (masculine or neuter, dative)
ich
I
für
for
unsere
our
mein
my
der Kofferraum
the trunk
die Radtour
the bike tour
liegen lassen
to leave
der Helm
the helmet
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Questions & Answers about Für unsere Radtour lasse ich meinen Helm im Kofferraum liegen.
What does liegen lassen mean here?
“Liegen lassen” is a separable verb meaning “to leave something (lying) somewhere,” i.e. to leave behind. In this sentence, ich lasse meinen Helm im Kofferraum liegen means “I leave my helmet in the trunk.”
Why are there two verbs (lasse and liegen) in the sentence?
German separable verbs split in main clauses: the finite verb (lasse, from lassen) goes in second position, and the verb’s other part (liegen) moves to the end. Together they form liegen lassen.
Why is im Kofferraum in the dative case?
The preposition in takes the dative when indicating location (the answer to wo?, “where?”). Der Kofferraum is masculine, so dative singular is dem Kofferraum. In dem contracts to im: im Kofferraum = “in the trunk.”
Why is meinen Helm in the accusative?
Meinen Helm is the direct object (what is being left). Direct objects take the accusative. Helm (masculine) with the possessive mein becomes meinen Helm in the singular accusative.
Why does the sentence start with Für unsere Radtour instead of Ich lasse?
German main clauses are verb-second (V2). You can front a prepositional phrase like Für unsere Radtour to set context; the conjugated verb (lasse) still comes second, followed by the subject (ich).
Can I say Für meine Radtour instead of Für unsere Radtour?
Yes—if you mean your own trip rather than our trip. Change the possessive to meine:
Für meine Radtour lasse ich meinen Helm im Kofferraum liegen.
What’s the difference between Radtour and Fahrradtour?
They’re synonyms meaning “bike trip.” Rad is short for Fahrrad (bicycle). German compounds are written as one word (here Rad-tour → Radtour).
What does Kofferraum mean in English?
Kofferraum literally is “luggage compartment.” In a car it means the trunk (US English) or boot (UK English).