abbiegen
to turn
To change direction while driving or walking and turn into another street or path.
EXAMPLE
Fahren Sie geradeaus und biegen Sie an der zweiten Ampel rechts ab.
Drive straight ahead and turn right at the second traffic light.
abbiegen
to turn / bend
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Meanings
abbiegen
to bend
To bend or curve an object, usually made of metal or another malleable material, at an angle.
EXAMPLE
Der Klempner musste das Kupferrohr abbiegen, damit es um die Ecke passt.
The plumber had to bend the copper pipe so that it would fit around the corner.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Abbiegen' is a separable verb. The prefix 'ab-' comes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Ich biege an der nächsten Kreuzung links ab.
I turn left at the next intersection.
Different auxiliary verbs
The auxiliary verb in the perfect tense depends on the meaning. For changing direction (movement), you use 'sein' (to be); for bending an object (an action), you use 'haben' (to have).
EXAMPLE
Der Radfahrer ist plötzlich rechts abgebogen.
The cyclist suddenly turned right.
Correct preposition
When changing direction, you use 'nach' for left/right and 'in' with the accusative for a street or path.
EXAMPLE
Biegen Sie bitte nach links ab.
Please turn left.
Compare with
abbiegen vs biegen
to bend
Abbiegen and um die Ecke biegen both refer to changing direction while walking or driving. Abbiegen names the turn into another street or onto another path, while biegen in this meaning is normally used with „um die Ecke“ or „um die Kurve“. Use abbiegen for the new street and biegen for going around the corner.
abbiegen
An der nächsten Kreuzung müssen wir rechts in die Bahnhofstraße abbiegen.
At the next intersection, we have to turn right into Bahnhofstraße.
biegen
An der nächsten Kreuzung biegen wir um die Ecke und sehen dann den Bahnhof.
At the next intersection, we turn the corner and then see the train station.
In real life
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