abfahren
to depart
To leave a place with a vehicle (such as a train, bus, or car) in order to begin a journey.
EXAMPLE
Unser Zug fährt pünktlich um 14:05 Uhr von Gleis 7 ab.
Our train departs on time at 2:05 p.m. from platform 7.
abfahren
to depart / be into
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
abfahren auf
to be into
A colloquial expression meaning that you think someone or something is extremely great or like them very much.
EXAMPLE
Die Teenager fahren total auf die neue Rockband ab.
The teenagers are totally into the new rock band.
abfahren
to drive along
To systematically drive along a certain route or through an area, often for inspection or searching.
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei muss die gesamte Route abfahren, um nach Spuren zu suchen.
The police have to drive along the entire route to look for traces.
abfahren
to ski down
To go down a slope or piste on skis or a snowboard.
EXAMPLE
Bist du diese schwarze Piste schon einmal abgefahren?
Have you ever skied down this black slope?
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Abfahren' (to depart / be into) 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.
EXAMPLE
Der Bus fährt gleich ab.
The bus is departing soon.
Perfect tense with 'sein'
Since 'abfahren' describes movement away from a place, the perfect tense is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be).
EXAMPLE
Wir sind gestern sehr früh abgefahren.
We departed very early yesterday.
Colloquial language
The expression 'auf etwas abfahren' (to be really into something) is purely colloquial. It is used with the preposition 'auf' and the accusative and means that you think something or someone is really great.
EXAMPLE
Mein kleiner Bruder fährt total auf Superhelden-Filme ab.
My little brother is totally into superhero movies.
With an accusative object
In the meaning 'eine Strecke befahren' (to drive along a route), 'abfahren' is transitive and needs an accusative object. This distinguishes it from the meaning 'verlassen' (to leave), which is intransitive.
EXAMPLE
Der Busfahrer muss jeden Tag dieselbe Strecke abfahren.
The bus driver has to drive along the same route every day.
Compare with
abfahren vs abgehen
to depart / come off
Abgehen can generally express that a person or means of transport leaves a place. Abfahren more precisely refers to the start of a journey in a vehicle and is the usual choice in bus or train schedules. In that context, abgehen is less specific and depends more heavily on the context.
abfahren
Der Bus fährt am frühen Morgen vom Bahnhof ab.
The bus leaves the station early in the morning.
abgehen
Das Schiff geht am frühen Morgen vom Hafen ab.
The ship leaves the harbor early in the morning.
In real life
Loading video examples...