English Translation
Let me do it!
Why does this sentence not include the direct object “le” when “it” is included in the translation?
I’d say that although you’d use both sentences in the same context, the meaning is not 100% equal. While the english sentence puts the focus on the thing that is being done, in the french one, the emphasis is more on not being helped. A bit more like “Do not interfere” (where you wouldn’t need an direct object either).
I think that “Let me do it” covers two scenarios, that are distinct in french:
- You are already doing something, and someone wants to either help or substitute you → Laisse-moi faire
Or, alternatively - Someone else is doing something, and you want to help or substitute them (scenario in which you could maybe also say “Let me try it”) → Here, you’d probably go for a more polite, “Je peux essayer?” or “Tu as besoin d’aide?”, depending on the situation. Maybe, if you are a child, “Laisse-moi faire” could be Ok, but I feel that if an adult were to say that, it would certainly be accompanied by
forcinglyforcibly removing the person currently doing the thing, and, as you can image, it would very quickly be perceived as rude.
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