processed / brushed off
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processed
Describes passengers, luggage, or freight that have gone through the necessary process, such as check-in or customs, for a trip or transport.
Alle Passagiere für den Flug nach New York sind bereits abgefertigt und warten am Gate.
All passengers for the flight to New York have already been processed and are waiting at the gate.
'Abgefertigt' is the past participle of the separable verb 'abfertigen' (to process / to dispatch / to brush off). The prefix 'ab-' here suggests a process that is brought to completion.
Der Zollbeamte hat die Reisenden schnell abgefertigt.
The customs officer processed the travelers quickly.
The context makes the meaning clear. In connection with travel, such as an airport or train station, it means 'processed'. In a social context, it describes quick and impersonal, often rude treatment.
Das Gepäck für den Flug nach Paris ist bereits abgefertigt.
The luggage for the flight to Paris has already been processed.
This meaning is found almost exclusively in the logistics and travel industries. The verb is often used in the passive to describe the status of passengers, luggage, or goods.
Sobald alle LKW abgefertigt sind, kann die Fähre ablegen.
As soon as all the trucks have been processed, the ferry can depart.
In this meaning, 'abgefertigt' is always negative. It expresses the feeling of not being taken seriously and of having merely been quickly 'dealt with'. It is often combined with adverbs such as 'kurz' (briefly), 'schnell' (quickly), or 'unfreundlich' (rudely).
Der Kunde fühlte sich an der Kasse unhöflich abgefertigt.
The customer felt rudely brushed off at the checkout.
controlled
'kontrolliert' and 'abgefertigt' can both occur in situations where people, luggage, or goods go through an official procedure. 'Kontrolliert' emphasizes the check: someone looks to see whether everything is correct, safe, or permitted. 'Abgefertigt' means that the necessary process for travel or transport has been completed, for example at check-in or customs. Learners may confuse the words because processing often includes checks too. More precisely: something may be checked first; afterwards it is 'abgefertigt' once the whole procedure has been completed.
Die Passagiere sind schon abgefertigt und warten am Gate.
The passengers have already been processed and are waiting at the gate.
Am Flughafen wird das Gepäck vor dem Flug kontrolliert.
At the airport, luggage is checked before the flight.