Before you start
Meet absehen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
ab- + sehen
- ab-
- away from
- sehen
- to see
Imagine turning your gaze away from an option, and so choosing not to pursue it.
So absehen means to refrain from (von etwas absehen); also, to foresee.
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 sehen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
Separable verb: ab·sehen
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 clauseSie sieht von einer Antwort ab.She refrains from giving an answer.
Subordinate clauseEr sagt, dass sie von dem Plan absieht.He says that she is not going ahead with the plan.
Participle: abgesehenzu-infinitive: abzusehen
Forms
How absehen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | sehe ab | sah ab |
| du | siehst ab | sahst ab |
| er/sie/es | sieht ab | sah ab |
| wir | sehen ab | sahen ab |
| ihr | seht ab | saht ab |
| Sie | sehen ab | sahen ab |
Partizip II abgesehen · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich sehe heute von dem Plan ab.I’m not going ahead with the plan today.refrain from something
- 2Er hat den Trick von seinem Bruder abgesehen.He learned the trick by watching his brother.Perfekt with haben
- 3Wir wissen nicht, ob wir den Regen absehen können.We don’t know if we can foresee the rain.verb at the end after ob
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
absehen + von + die Reise
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Say that you are refraining from the trip.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
We decided not to buykaufen the cardas Auto.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When I saw the darkdunkel cloudsdie Wolke, die Wolken, it was clear that rainder Regen was comingkommen.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I stayedbleiben homezu Hause because I wanted to avoid the longlang tripdie Reise.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The plander Plan that we gave up was too expensiveteuer.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
You can alreadyschon tell that he is tiredmüde.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
It is hardschwer to predict when the busder Bus will arriveankommen.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Can you tell whether she will come tomorrowmorgen?
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:
absehen + dass
Your challenge
- 1Start with Es ist abzusehen.
- 2Add a dass-clause about tomorrow's weather.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
What do you think will happen in your life next year?
Your challenge
- 1Answer in one sentence using absehen.
- 2Say what you think will happen next year.