Before you start
Meet abstimmen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
All 3 meanings
- (intransitive) to vote [with über (+ accusative) ‘on a proposal or plan’]
- (transitive) to run something by someone, to get approval for [with mit (+ dative) ‘by/from someone’]
- (reflexive) to coordinate (matters), to get on the same page [with mit (+ dative) or plural subject]
Build the meaning
ab- + stimmen
- ab-
- toward a decision or settled outcome
- stimmen
- to be right; to agree
People agree on a choice and settle it by voting.
So abstimmen means to vote; to coordinate.
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·stimmen
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 stimmen den Termin morgen ab.We’ll coordinate the appointment tomorrow.
Subordinate clauseSie wartet, bis wir den Termin abstimmen.She is waiting until we coordinate the appointment.
Participle: abgestimmtzu-infinitive: abzustimmen
Forms
How abstimmen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | stimme ab | stimmte ab |
| du | stimmst ab | stimmtest ab |
| er/sie/es | stimmt ab | stimmte ab |
| wir | stimmen ab | stimmten ab |
| ihr | stimmt ab | stimmtet ab |
| Sie | stimmen ab | stimmten ab |
Partizip II abgestimmt · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Wir stimmen heute über den Plan ab.We are voting on the plan today.prefix goes to the end
- 2Die Klasse hat gestern abgestimmt.The class voted yesterday.Perfekt with haben
- 3Ich rufe dich an, weil wir die Zeit abstimmen müssen.I’m calling you because we need to coordinate the time.verb at the end after weil
Verb family
More verbs built on stimmen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.