ab verb

absetzen

hat abgesetzt · setzte ab
Based on: ab, setzen
1.

to take off

Opposite: aufsetzen
(For things you wear on your head; e.g. glasses, hats, hoods and headphones. "abnehmen" also means that and is a tiny bit more common in daily life.)
Examples
  • Ich setze meine Kapuze auch im Fitnessstudio nicht ab, denn ich bin cool.
  • Even at the gym, I'm not taking my hood off because I am cool.
  • Practice pronunciation - click once to start recording and again to stop
2.

to cancel, to stop

Opposite: ansetzen
(For tv shows and medicine like antibiotics.)
Examples
  • Die Show wurde nach der dritten Staffel abgesetzt.
  • The show was cancelled/stopped after the third season.
  • Practice pronunciation - click once to start recording and again to stop
3.

to drop off

("jemanden+Acc absetzen" - Used on context of giving someone a ride but "rauslassen" is more common.)
Examples
  • Der Adler setzt das Einhorn auf dem Felsen ab.
  • The eagle puts down the unicorn on the rock.
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4.

to deduct

("absetzen von" - in the context of taxes.)
Examples
  • Thomas will sein Tantra-Yoga-Seminar von der Steuer absetzen.
  • Thomas wants to deduct his tantra yoga seminar on his taxes.
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5.

to settle

("sich+Acc absetzen" - for yeast and other small particles in a liquid)
Examples
  • Die Hefe setzt sich am Boden der Flasche ab.
  • The yeast settles at the bottom of the bottle.
  • Practice pronunciation - click once to start recording and again to stop
6.

to set oneself apart from

("sich+Acc absetzen von" )
Examples
  • Emanuel sucht immer nach Wegen, sich von der Konkurrenz abzusetzen.
  • Emanuel is always looking for ways to set himself apart from the competition.
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7.

to flee

("sich+Acc absetzen" - a "quiet" kind of fleeing, without any drama or action.)
Examples
  • Der Oligarch hat sich in die Schweiz abgesetzt.
  • The oligarch has fled to Switzerland.
  • Practice pronunciation - click once to start recording and again to stop

Word Family

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Sources for Etymology:

My Articles

Dark Season 5 – Episode 31 – “absetzen”
'absetzen' can mean taking off a hat, but also cancelling a series and deducting something from your taxes and more. And then, there's "der Absatz" as well.
Dark Season 5 – Episode 31 – “absetzen”
read the full article
Advent Calendar 15 – Cancelling 101

read the full article

Questions and Comments

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How many meanings does the German word 'absetzen' have?

absetzen has 7 distinct meanings: 1. to take off , 2. to cancel, to stop , 3. to drop off , 4. to deduct , 5. to settle, 6. to set oneself apart from , 7. to flee.

What is the past tense of 'absetzen'?

hat abgesetzt / setzte ab

What is 'absetzen' related to?

The word 'absetzen' is related to ab and setzen.

Where can I learn more about 'absetzen'?

Here are some articles where you can learn more about 'absetzen':

Dark Season 5 – Episode 31 – “absetzen”
'absetzen' can mean taking off a hat, but also cancelling a series and deducting something from your taxes and more. And then, there's "der Absatz" as well.
Read article

Advent Calendar 15 – Cancelling 101
Read article