abflauen
to die down
To gradually become weaker or subside, especially when referring to wind, weather phenomena, feelings, tension, or activities.
EXAMPLE
Am Abend flaute der starke Wind endlich ab.
By evening, the strong wind finally died down.
abflauen
to die down
abflauen – flaute ab – ist abgeflaut
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry abflauen, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Present
| er/sie/es | flaut ab |
|---|---|
| sie | flauen ab |
Simple past
| er/sie/es | flaute ab |
|---|---|
| sie | flauten ab |
Perfect
with sein
| er/sie/es | ist abgeflaut |
|---|---|
| sie | sind abgeflaut |
Past perfect
| er/sie/es | war abgeflaut |
|---|---|
| sie | waren abgeflaut |
Future
| er/sie/es | wird abflauen |
|---|---|
| sie | werden abflauen |
Subjunctive I
| er/sie/es | flaue ab |
|---|---|
| sie | flauen ab |
Used for reported speech.
Subjunctive II
| er/sie/es | flaute ab |
|---|---|
| sie | flauten ab |
Used for wishes and “would”.
Other forms
| infinitive | abflauen |
|---|---|
| with zu | abzuflauen |
| present participle | abflauend |
| past participle | abgeflaut |
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Abflauen' (to die down) is a separable verb. In a main clause, 'ab' (off) appears at the end of the sentence; in a subordinate clause, the verb stays together; and in the infinitive with 'zu' (to), 'zu' comes between the prefix and the stem.
EXAMPLE
Gegen Mitternacht flaute der Regen langsam ab.
Around midnight, the rain slowly died down.
Wir blieben noch draußen, obwohl der Wind allmählich abflaute.
We stayed outside a little longer, although the wind gradually died down.
Der Lärm im Saal schien allmählich abzuflauen.
The noise in the hall seemed to be gradually dying down.
No object
'Abflauen' (to die down) is normally used intransitively: the weather, feeling, or activity that is becoming weaker appears as the subject. It is not followed by a direct accusative object.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Gespräch flaute die Anspannung spürbar ab.
After the conversation, the tension noticeably died down.
Typical collocations
Common collocations include 'der Wind flaut ab' (the wind dies down), 'der Sturm flaut ab' (the storm dies down), 'die Spannung flaut ab' (the tension dies down), and 'das Interesse flaut ab' (interest wanes). The word is particularly well suited to something that gradually decreases.
EXAMPLE
Als die Polizei eintraf, flaute die Unruhe in der Menge langsam ab.
When the police arrived, the unrest in the crowd slowly died down.
In real life
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