Before you start
Meet abschalten
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
All 2 meanings
- (transitive) to switch off
- (intransitive, figurative) to unwind, relax
Build the meaning
ab- + schalten
- ab-
- away or off
- schalten
- to switch or change gears
You switch something away from its active setting, or mentally switch off from what is engaging you.
So abschalten means to switch off; to mentally switch off or unwind.
A memory aid, not a rule: prefixes change meaning from verb to verb.
Learning approach inspired by this explanation in r/German.
Separable verb: ab·schalten
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 clauseIch schalte das Radio ab.I switch off the radio.
Subordinate clauseIch bin froh, weil ich das Radio abschalte.I’m glad because I’m switching off the radio.
Participle: abgeschaltetzu-infinitive: abzuschalten
Forms
How abschalten changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | schalte ab | schaltete ab |
| du | schaltest ab | schaltetest ab |
| er/sie/es | schaltet ab | schaltete ab |
| wir | schalten ab | schalteten ab |
| ihr | schaltet ab | schaltetet ab |
| Sie | schalten ab | schalteten ab |
Partizip II abgeschaltet · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich schalte den Fernseher ab.I switch off the TV.prefix goes to the end
- 2Sie hat das Licht abgeschaltet.She switched off the light.Perfekt with haben
- 3Am Abend kann ich gut abschalten.In the evening, I can relax well.modal verb with infinitive
Verb family
More verbs built on schalten
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.