to get involved / let in
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to get involved in
To get involved with a person, situation, or undertaking, often with the implication that it involves a risk or requires a conscious decision.
Ich bin nicht sicher, ob ich mich auf dieses riskante Geschäft einlassen soll.
I'm not sure whether I should get involved in this risky business.
'Einlassen' (to get involved / let in) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'ein-' stands at the end. In subordinate clauses or in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Der Bademeister lässt das Wasser ins Becken ein.
The lifeguard lets the water into the pool.
In this meaning, the verb is always reflexive and is used with the preposition 'auf' and the accusative. The fixed structure is: 'sich auf etwas/jemanden einlassen' (to get involved in something/with someone).
Sie wollte sich nicht auf eine Beziehung mit ihm einlassen.
She didn't want to get involved in a relationship with him.
The meaning changes depending on the object: a reflexive pronoun ('sich') means 'to get involved.' A person as the object ('jemanden') means 'to grant someone entry.'
Er lässt sich auf das Experiment ein.
He gets involved in the experiment.
The meanings 'etwas einbauen' (to install something) or 'eine Oberfläche behandeln' (to treat a surface) are used almost only in a crafts or trades context. Pay attention to words like wood, stone, oil, or wax.
Der Schreiner hat die Scharniere sauber in die Tür eingelassen.
The carpenter set the hinges neatly into the door.
to grow / to wax
'wachsen' and 'einlassen' can both mean treating a surface so that it is protected. 'wachsen' means treating something with wax, for example skis or a floor. 'einlassen' is used especially with wood, when oil, wax, or glaze soaks into the material. Learners may confuse the words because wax can be involved in both. The important difference is: 'wachsen' names the substance, wax, while 'einlassen' describes more that a liquid soaks into a surface.
Nico hat den Holztisch mit Öl eingelassen.
Nico treated the wooden table with oil.
Vor dem Skiurlaub wachsen wir die Skier im Keller.
Before the ski vacation, we wax the skis in the basement.