01
abbremsen
to slow down / brake
To actively reduce the speed of a vehicle or movement, usually by applying a brake.
example
Der Radfahrer musste vor der roten Ampel stark abbremsen.
The cyclist had to brake hard before the red traffic light.
abbremsen
to slow down / brake
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable verb
'Abbremsen' (to slow down / brake) 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 bremse vor der Kurve immer ab.
I always slow down before the curve.
Typical collocations
In the literal meaning, 'abbremsen' (to slow down / brake) is often used with adverbs such as 'stark' (hard), 'plötzlich' (suddenly), 'sanft' (gently), or 'rechtzeitig' (in time) to describe the way of braking.
EXAMPLE
Als ein Kind auf die Straße lief, musste die Fahrerin stark abbremsen.
When a child ran into the street, the driver had to brake hard.
Figurative meaning
In the figurative meaning, 'abbremsen' (to slow down) refers to abstract things. Typical objects are 'das Wachstum' (growth), 'die Entwicklung' (development), 'ein Projekt' (a project), or 'die Wirtschaft' (the economy).
EXAMPLE
Hohe Zinsen können das wirtschaftliche Wachstum abbremsen.
High interest rates can slow down economic growth.
Context clue
You can recognize the figurative meaning by the fact that the object of the sentence is an abstract process, e.g. 'Wachstum' (growth) or 'Fortschritt' (progress). If it is about a vehicle or a physical movement, the literal meaning is intended.
EXAMPLE
Die neuen Regelungen haben den Baufortschritt deutlich abgebremst.
The new regulations have clearly slowed down construction progress.
Compare with
abbremsen vs stoppen
to stop
'stoppen' and 'abbremsen' are closely related, especially with movement and traffic. 'stoppen' means that something comes to a complete stop or is ended. 'abbremsen' first only means that something becomes slower. After that, it may continue or perhaps come to a complete stop later. The words are easy to confuse because when braking, you sometimes stop in the end. In practice: if the movement ends, you say 'stoppen'; if only the speed is reduced, you say 'abbremsen'.
abbremsen
Vor der Kurve bremste die Radfahrerin stark ab.
Before the curve, the cyclist braked hard.
stoppen
Der Fahrer stoppte den Bus direkt an der Haltestelle.
The driver stopped the bus right at the bus stop.
In real life
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