Before you start
Meet abstimmen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
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.
Verb family
More verbs built on stimmen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
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
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
abstimmen + der Termin
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Use der Termin as the direct object.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
We voted on it yesterday.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When the meetingdas Treffen ended, we voted on the proposalder Vorschlag.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She coordinated with him because the trainder Zug was lateverspätet.
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 voted on yesterday is good.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
We have to coordinate with them before the tripdie Reise.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She calledanrufen me to coordinate the timedie Zeit with me.
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 vote on this questiondie Frage today?
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:
abstimmen + dass + morgen
Your challenge
- 1Use abstimmen to express voting in favor.
- 2Add a dass-clause saying you will go tomorrow.
- 3Put the conjugated verb at the end of the dass-clause.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
How do you coordinate plans with your family?
Your challenge
- 1Answer in one sentence using the present tense.
- 2Say who you coordinate with.
- 3Say what you coordinate.