to print / publish
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to publish
To publish a text, image, or advertisement in a printed medium such as a newspaper, magazine, or book.
Die Zeitung hat seinen Leserbrief auf der Meinungsseite abgedruckt.
The newspaper published his letter to the editor on the opinion page.
to imprint
To leave an imprint or mark on a surface.
Die nassen Reifen haben ihr Profil deutlich im Schlamm abgedruckt.
The wet tires clearly imprinted their tread in the mud.
'Abdrucken' (to print/publish) is a separable verb. The prefix 'ab-' stands at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Die Lokalzeitung druckt meinen Leserbrief morgen ab.
The local newspaper is printing my letter to the editor tomorrow.
The verb consists of the prefix 'ab-' and the verb 'drucken' (to print). The prefix 'ab-' here reinforces the idea of creating a copy or a visible result through pressure.
Man kann mit einer Kartoffel und Farbe schöne Muster abdrucken.
You can print beautiful patterns with a potato and paint.
In the meaning of 'veröffentlichen' (to publish), 'abdrucken' (to publish/print) is often combined with objects like 'einen Artikel' (an article), 'ein Foto' (a photo), 'eine Anzeige' (an advertisement), or 'einen Kommentar' (a comment).
Das Magazin weigerte sich, die umstrittenen Fotos abzudrucken.
The magazine refused to publish the controversial photos.
This meaning should be understood literally: something leaves a physical mark through pressure. The reflexive form 'sich abdrucken' (to leave an imprint) is often used here as well.
Sein nasser Fuß hat sich auf dem Holzboden abgedruckt.
His wet foot left an imprint on the wooden floor.
to print / shirk
When publishing a text, both drucken and abdrucken can be used. Abdrucken emphasizes that a specific text is reproduced in a printed medium; drucken can refer more neutrally and generally to its publication.
Die Zeitung druckt morgen den vollständigen Bericht über das Stadtfest ab.
The newspaper will print the full report about the town festival tomorrow.
Die Zeitung druckt morgen den Bericht über das Stadtfest.
The newspaper will print the report about the town festival tomorrow.
