Before you start
Meet absetzen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
ab- + setzen
- ab-
- away or down from a current position; sometimes marking removal or ending
- setzen
- to set or place
Think of setting something down or away from where it was, extending to removing or ending it.
So absetzen means to take off, drop off, dismiss, or discontinue.
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 setzen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
- einsetzento put in, insert
- durchsetzento carry through, enforce
- fortsetzento continue
- umsetzento move, to put into practice
- voraussetzenpresuppose, take for granted
- ansetzento position, estimate, fix
- aussetzento abandon
- zusammensetzento put together
Separable verb: ab·setzen
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 clauseEr setzt die Tasche neben die Tür ab.He puts the bag down next to the door.
Subordinate clauseIch sehe, dass sie den alten Chef absetzt.I see that she is dismissing the old boss.
Participle: abgesetztzu-infinitive: abzusetzen
Forms
How absetzen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | setze ab | setzte ab |
| du | setzt ab | setztest ab |
| er/sie/es | setzt ab | setzte ab |
| wir | setzen ab | setzten ab |
| ihr | setzt ab | setztet ab |
| Sie | setzen ab | setzten ab |
Partizip II abgesetzt · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich setze das Glas hier ab.I put the glass down here.put something down
- 2Die Firma hat den Chef abgesetzt.The company dismissed the boss.Perfekt with haben
- 3Du musst die Tabletten nicht absetzen.You don’t have to stop taking the tablets.modal verb with infinitive
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
absetzen + die Brille
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Use die Brille as the object.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I took them off before I went to beddas Bett.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When the busder Bus, die Busse dropped me off at the stationder Bahnhof, die Bahnhöfe, my sisterdie Schwester, die Schwestern was already waitingwarten.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She stopped taking the medicinedas Medikament, die Medikamente because it made her tiredmüde.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The taxidas Taxi, die Taxis that dropped us off at the stationder Bahnhof, die Bahnhöfe was very oldalt.
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 take your glassesdie Brille, die Brillen off here.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He decidedbeschließen to stop taking the medicinedas Medikament, die Medikamente.
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 drop me off at the stationder Bahnhof, die Bahnhöfe?
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:
absetzen + die Tabletten + obwohl
Your challenge
- 1Start with an obwohl-clause.
- 2Use the present tense.
- 3Replace die Tabletten with an accusative pronoun.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
What do you usually take off when you get home?
Your challenge
- 1Answer with a wenn-clause.
- 2Say what you usually take off.
- 3Use the present tense.