abfahren
Meaning and Usage
"Abfahren" is a German verb that means "to depart" or "to leave" when referring to vehicles such as trains, buses, or ships. It can also be used to mean "to drive off" or "to set off" in a general sense.
Linguistic Analysis
The word "abfahren" is a separable verb, consisting of the prefix "ab-" and the verb "fahren" (to drive). In its infinitive form, the prefix is separated from the verb stem, and in the conjugated forms, the prefix "ab-" is positioned at the end of the sentence.
Comparisons between German and English
The word "abfahren" can be translated to "to depart" or "to leave" in English. It is a compound verb, similar to the English phrasal verbs, where a verb is combined with a preposition to convey a specific meaning.
Cultural Context
In German-speaking countries, "abfahren" is commonly used in the context of public transportation schedules, as well as in everyday speech when referring to the departure of vehicles or setting off on a journey.
Example Sentences
- Der Zug wird pünktlich abfahren. (The train will depart on time.)
- Sie fahren morgen früh ab. (They will leave early tomorrow morning.)
Memory Tips
To remember the meaning of "abfahren," think of the "ab-" prefix as indicating departure, similar to the English word "abandon," which also conveys the idea of leaving or departing from a place.
Additional Vocabulary
- die Abfahrt (f) - departure
- abfahrbereit - ready to depart
- die Abfahrtszeit (f) - departure time
Gender and Plural (for nouns)
N/A
Conjugation (for verbs)
- ich fahre ab (I depart)
- du fährst ab (you depart)
- er/sie/es fährt ab (he/she/it departs)
- wir fahren ab (we depart)
- ihr fahrt ab (you depart)
- sie fahren ab (they depart)