Before you start
Meet abziehen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
All 10 meanings
- to subtract, to deduct
- (transitive, troops, etc.) to pull out
- (intransitive) to leave
- (intransitive) to pull the trigger
- (colloquial) to rip off (to cheat, to charge an exorbitant or unfair rate)
- (transitive) to skin (an animal)
Build the meaning
ab- + ziehen
- ab-
- away or off from a whole
- ziehen
- to pull or draw
Imagine pulling something off a whole so it is removed or deducted.
So abziehen means to take off or remove; to deduct; to withdraw.
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·ziehen
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 clauseIch ziehe den Aufkleber ab.I peel off the sticker.
Subordinate clauseSie sagt, dass er die Folie abzieht.She says that he is peeling off the film.
Participle: abgezogenzu-infinitive: abzuziehen
Forms
How abziehen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | ziehe ab | zog ab |
| du | ziehst ab | zogst ab |
| er/sie/es | zieht ab | zog ab |
| wir | ziehen ab | zogen ab |
| ihr | zieht ab | zogt ab |
| Sie | ziehen ab | zogen ab |
Partizip II abgezogen · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Die Soldaten ziehen heute ab.The soldiers are leaving today.prefix goes to the end
- 2Sie hat fünf Euro abgezogen.She deducted five euros.Perfekt with haben
- 3Ich sage, dass du das Pflaster abziehst.I say that you are pulling off the bandage.verb at the end after dass
Verb family
More verbs built on ziehen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.