Before you start
Meet abspielen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
ab- + spielen
- ab-
- through to its end, as something runs its course
- spielen
- to play
Something is played through to its end, or an event plays itself out.
So abspielen means to play back a recording; to take place.
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·spielen
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 spielt das Video ab.She plays the video.
Subordinate clauseIch höre zu, weil er das Lied abspielt.I listen because he plays the song.
Participle: abgespieltzu-infinitive: abzuspielen
Forms
How abspielen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | spiele ab | spielte ab |
| du | spielst ab | spieltest ab |
| er/sie/es | spielt ab | spielte ab |
| wir | spielen ab | spielten ab |
| ihr | spielt ab | spieltet ab |
| Sie | spielen ab | spielten ab |
Partizip II abgespielt · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich spiele das Lied ab.I play the song.prefix goes to the end
- 2Wir haben den Film gestern abgespielt.We played the film yesterday.Perfekt with haben
- 3Wenn du die Musik abspielst, höre ich zu.When you play the music, I listen.verb at the end after wenn
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
ab·spielen + die Musik
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Use die Musik as the thing being played.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I played the newneu songdas Lied for them yesterday.
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 filmder Film ended, the childrendas Kind, die Kinder played it againnoch einmal.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She played the messagedie Nachricht again because she did not understandverstehen it.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The songdas Lied that you played for me is beautifulschön.
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 play the videodas Video for me?
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He wentgehen into the roomdas Zimmer to play the recordingdie Aufnahme for us.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
What happened at the partydie Party last night?
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:
sich ab·spielen + das Konzert + obwohl
Your challenge
- 1Start with an obwohl-clause.
- 2Use sich abspielen in the simple past.
- 3Put the verb at the end of the obwohl-clause.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
What do you like to play at home? Answer in one German sentence using the target verb.
Your challenge
- 1Answer with one sentence about something you like to play.
- 2Use the present tense.