Before you start
Meet ablösen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
ab- + lösen
- ab-
- away or off from something
- lösen
- to loosen or release
Lösen something ab is to loosen it away from what it is attached to; by extension, someone can take over from a person on duty.
So ablösen means to remove or come off; to relieve or replace someone on duty.
A memory aid, not a rule: prefixes change meaning from verb to verb.
Learning approach inspired by this explanation in r/German.
Verb family
More verbs built on lösen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
Separable verb: ab·lösen
In a main clause the prefix ab splits off and goes to the end. After weil, dass and other subordinating words, the verb stays in one piece at the end.
Main clauseWir lösen den alten Mann heute ab.We relieve the old man today.
Subordinate clauseSie bleibt, weil ich sie ablöse.She stays because I am taking over from her.
Participle: abgelöstzu-infinitive: abzulösen
Forms
How ablösen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | löse ab | löste ab |
| du | löst ab | löstest ab |
| er/sie/es | löst ab | löste ab |
| wir | lösen ab | lösten ab |
| ihr | löst ab | löstet ab |
| Sie | lösen ab | lösten ab |
Partizip II abgelöst · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich löse das alte Bild von der Wand ab.I take the old picture off the wall.prefix goes to the end
- 2Der Aufkleber hat sich leicht abgelöst.The sticker came off easily.Perfekt with haben
- 3Ich löse meinen Vater ab, wenn er müde ist.I take over from my father when he is tired.prefix splits in main clause
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
ablösen + der Aufkleber
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Use der Aufkleber as the thing you take off.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I took it off the walldie Wand.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When my workdie Arbeit was overvorbei, my colleagueder Kollege, die Kollegen took overvorbei for me.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The labeldas Etikett came off because the bottledie Flasche was wetnass.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The stickerder Aufkleber that came off was on the windowdas Fenster.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Can you replace me at workdie Arbeit tomorrowmorgen?
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She triedversuchen to peelabziehen the oldalt paperdas Papier off.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Could you take the price tagdas Preisschild off for me?
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 9 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
ablösen + der Vater + obwohl
Your challenge
- 1Start with an obwohl-clause.
- 2Put the verb at the end of that clause.
- 3Say that you replace your father today.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
When have you taken something off, or relieved someone? Answer in one sentence.
Your challenge
- 1Answer in one sentence using the Perfekt.
- 2Say what you took off or whom you relieved.