Abstract: The invention relates to a method for laser boring or laser cutting a workpiece (2), wherein—electromagnetic radiation (10) emitted from a laser strikes the workpiece (2) and—a liquid (16) which contains nanoparticles (18) is located on a workpiece (2) face facing away from the laser such that—the electromagnetic radiation (10) emitted by the laser strikes the nanoparticles (18) when the electromagnetic radiation (10) has passed through the workpiece (2). The nanoparticles are designed such that the majority of the electromagnetic radiation (10) is absorbed by the nanoparticles (18) in that the electromagnetic radiation (10) generates collective excitations, in particular plasmons such as surface plasmons for example, in the nanoparticles (18).