01
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
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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 wenden
to turn / contact
'wenden' and 'abbiegen' both describe a change of direction. But the difference is important: 'wenden' means that you drive or go in the opposite direction, so you turn around. 'Abbiegen' means that you go or drive left or right into another street or another path. Learners may confuse the words because both often occur in traffic contexts. If you drive back in the direction you came from, you say 'wenden'. If you only turn into a side street, you say 'abbiegen'.
abbiegen
An der nächsten Ampel biegt die Mitarbeiterin nach rechts zum Büro ab.
At the next traffic light, the employee turns right toward the office.
wenden
Der Fahrer wird am Ende der Straße wenden, weil die Brücke gesperrt ist.
The driver will turn around at the end of the street because the bridge is closed.
In real life
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