abbekommen
to get
To receive a share of something negative, for example damage, an injury, or criticism.
EXAMPLE
Mein Auto hat bei dem Hagel leider ein paar Dellen abbekommen.
Unfortunately, my car got a few dents in the hailstorm.
abbekommen
to get / to get off
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Meanings
abbekommen
to get off
To be able to successfully remove or loosen something that is stuck or attached.
EXAMPLE
Ich bekomme den Deckel von diesem Glas einfach nicht ab.
I just can't get the lid off this jar.
abbekommen
to get
To receive a share of something, usually something positive or neutral.
EXAMPLE
Hast du von der Torte auch ein Stück abbekommen?
Did you get a piece of the cake too?
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Abbekommen' (to get/to get off) is a separable verb with the prefix 'ab-'. In a main clause, the prefix stands at the end; in a subordinate clause, the verb stays together; and in the infinitive with 'zu', 'zu' comes between 'ab' and 'bekommen'.
EXAMPLE
Bei dem Streit bekam er auch etwas Kritik ab.
In the argument, he also got some criticism.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'to receive a negative share', the verb is often combined with unpleasant things. Typical phrases are 'Kritik abbekommen' (to get criticism), 'einen Kratzer abbekommen' (to get a scratch), or colloquially 'sein Fett abbekommen' (to get one's share of criticism/punishment).
EXAMPLE
Für seine Entscheidung hat der Politiker viel Kritik abbekommen.
The politician got a lot of criticism for his decision.
Use with negation
When it is about loosening something that is stuck, 'abbekommen' (to get off) is very often used with a negation such as 'nicht' (not), 'kaum' (hardly), or 'einfach nicht' (just not). It then describes an unsuccessful attempt.
EXAMPLE
Ich bekomme den hartnäckigen Fleck aus dem T-Shirt nicht ab.
I can't get the stubborn stain out of the T-shirt.
Receiving a share
When you get part of something, the preposition 'von' (of/from) is often used. The structure is then: 'etwas von etwas abbekommen' (to get some of something).
EXAMPLE
Haben die Kinder auch etwas von dem Kuchen abbekommen?
Did the children get some of the cake too?
Compare with
abbekommen vs bekommen
to get / receive
When talking about criticism, bekommen and abbekommen can both express receiving it. Bekommen remains neutral. Abbekommen emphasizes that the criticism affects the person undesirably or that they receive a share of it, for example when several people are involved.
abbekommen
Obwohl mehrere beteiligt waren, bekam Lea die meiste Kritik ab.
Although several people were involved, Lea got the most criticism.
bekommen
Für den Fehler bekam Lea Kritik.
Lea received criticism for the mistake.
In real life
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