der Abbau
reduction
The reduction or decrease of something, for example staff, costs, or bureaucracy.
EXAMPLE
Das Unternehmen kündigte den Abbau von 500 Stellen an.
The company announced the reduction of 500 positions.
der Abbau
reduction / extraction / dismantling
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Meanings
der Abbau
extraction
The extraction of raw materials such as coal, ore, or salt from the earth.
EXAMPLE
Der Abbau von seltenen Erden ist oft umweltschädlich.
The extraction of rare earths is often harmful to the environment.
der Abbau
breakdown
The biological or chemical process of decomposing a substance into simpler components.
EXAMPLE
Der biologische Abbau von Laub zu Humus dauert mehrere Monate.
The biological breakdown of leaves into humus takes several months.
der Abbau
dismantling
The dismantling or taking apart of a structure, for example scaffolding, a stage, or a tent.
EXAMPLE
Der Abbau des Riesenrads nach dem Volksfest dauert zwei Tage.
The dismantling of the Ferris wheel after the fair takes two days.
Usage tips
Word family
The noun 'der Abbau' (reduction/extraction/dismantling) is derived directly from the separable verb 'abbauen' (to dismantle, reduce, extract). The verb literally means 'to build something down' or 'to build something away' (ab + bauen), and the noun describes the action or the result of it.
EXAMPLE
Die Firma plant, die unrentable Abteilung abzubauen.
The company plans to reduce the unprofitable department.
Context clue: abstract things
In this meaning, 'Abbau' (reduction) refers to abstract things, often in an economic or political context. Typical collocations are 'Abbau von Stellen' (reduction of jobs), 'Abbau von Schulden' (reduction of debt), or 'Abbau von Bürokratie' (reduction of bureaucracy).
EXAMPLE
Die Regierung verspricht den Abbau von bürokratischen Hürden.
The government promises the reduction of bureaucratic obstacles.
Context clue: raw materials
This meaning is used for the extraction of natural resources from the earth. You can recognize it from nouns like 'Kohle' (coal), 'Erz' (ore), 'Salz' (salt), or the general term 'Rohstoffe' (raw materials).
EXAMPLE
Der Abbau von Kohle hat in dieser Region eine lange Tradition.
The extraction of coal has a long tradition in this region.
Context clue: science
This meaning belongs to the fields of biology and chemistry. It describes the decomposition of substances. Signal words are 'biologisch' (biological), 'chemisch' (chemical), or substances like 'Plastik' (plastic) and 'Schadstoffe' (pollutants).
EXAMPLE
Der biologische Abbau dieses Materials dauert nur wenige Wochen.
The biological breakdown of this material takes only a few weeks.
Context clue: structures
Here 'Abbau' (dismantling) means the dismantling of human-made, often temporary structures. Typical objects are 'ein Gerüst' (scaffolding), 'ein Zelt' (a tent), 'eine Bühne' (a stage), or 'ein Messestand' (a trade fair booth).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Konzert begann sofort der Abbau der Bühne.
After the concert, the dismantling of the stage began immediately.
Compare with
Abbau vs Förderung
support / extraction
Förderung and Abbau can both refer to extracting a raw material from the earth. Abbau primarily emphasizes removing the solid deposit, while Förderung refers to the technical process of producing the raw material. Use Abbau for extracting coal or ore and Förderung for the ongoing production process.
Abbau
Der Abbau der Kohle erfolgt in diesem Bergwerk unter Tage.
The coal is mined underground at this mine.
Förderung
Die Förderung von Erdöl läuft auf dieser Plattform rund um die Uhr.
Oil extraction on this platform runs around the clock.
In real life
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