Italian Phrase
Lascia lavorare gli altri.
Meaning
The sentence is a direct command telling someone to let other people do the work. It can be used when you want to stop micromanaging or interfering with someone else's task.
When to use
Use this phrase in informal or semi‑formal settings when you want to politely (or firmly) tell a colleague, friend, or family member to step back and allow others to handle the job.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Lascialavorareglialtri
Imperative of lasciare
‘Lascia’ is the 2nd‑person singular imperative of the verb ‘lasciare’ (to let/leave). It is used to give a direct command.
Infinitive after an imperative
When an imperative verb is followed by another action, the second verb stays in the infinitive (e.g., ‘lascia lavorare’ = ‘let [them] work’).
Definite article ‘gli’
‘gli’ is the masculine plural definite article used before a vowel or a silent ‘h’; it agrees with ‘altri’.
Adjective ‘altri’
‘Altri’ means ‘others’ and follows the article ‘gli’; together they form ‘gli altri’ = ‘the others’.
🗨In Conversation
Lascia lavorare gli altri, non è il tuo compito.
Let the others work, it's not your job.
Hai ragione, mi occuperò solo del mio reparto.
You're right, I'll only take care of my department.
✕Common Mistakes
Lascia a lavorare gli altri.
The verb ‘lasciare’ does not need the preposition ‘a’ before an infinitive.
Lascia gli lavorare gli altri.
‘Gli’ is the article, not a pronoun here; the infinitive follows directly after ‘lascia’.
Lasciare gli altri.
‘Lasciare gli altri’ would mean ‘to leave the others’, not ‘let the others work’. Use the infinitive ‘lavorare’ after ‘lascia’.
↔Alternatives
Fai lavorare gli altri.
Make the others work.
Permetti agli altri di lavorare.
Allow the others to work.
Non intrometterti, lascia che gli altri lavorino.
Don't interfere, let the others work.
Cultural Tip
In Italian workplaces, it’s common to stress teamwork and respect for each other's roles. Using ‘lascia’ can sound firm, so pair it with a friendly tone or a softener like ‘per favore’ if you want to keep the conversation polite. In the south of Italy, people may add ‘per favore’ more often than in the north.