to find appeal in / to win from
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to find appeal in
To find a positive or appealing aspect in a person, thing, or situation, often despite negative circumstances.
Ich kann diesem kalten, nebligen Wetter wirklich nichts abgewinnen.
I really can't find anything appealing in this cold, foggy weather.
to win from
To gain or take something from an opponent in a game, competition, or conflict.
Es gelang ihm, dem Weltmeister in der Schachpartie ein Unentschieden abzugewinnen.
He managed to win a draw from the world champion in the chess game.
'Abgewinnen' (to find appeal in / to win from) is a separable verb with the prefix 'ab-'. In a main clause, 'ab' comes at the end of the sentence.
Er gewinnt der Situation sogar etwas Positives ab.
He even finds something positive in the situation.
This verb is always used with a dative object. The dative indicates the person or thing from which you gain something or in which you find something positive.
Ich kann dem langen Winter einfach nichts abgewinnen.
I simply can't find anything appealing in the long winter.
In the meaning 'einen positiven Aspekt finden' (to find a positive aspect), the verb is very often negated, usually in the form 'einer Sache nichts abgewinnen können' (to be unable to find anything appealing in something).
Der lauten Musik auf dem Festival konnte sie nichts abgewinnen.
She couldn't find anything appealing in the loud music at the festival.
In the context of competitions, 'abgewinnen' is often combined with small successes against a strong opponent, e.g. 'einen Punkt abgewinnen' (to win a point from), 'einen Vorteil abgewinnen' (to gain an advantage from), or 'ein Lächeln abgewinnen' (to get a smile from).
Trotz seiner strengen Art konnte sie ihm ein Lächeln abgewinnen.
Despite his strict manner, she was able to get a smile from him.
to find
Both words can identify a positive aspect of something. Finden initially describes your own evaluation in a neutral way. Abgewinnen, by contrast, often shows that you have discovered something positive despite a bad or difficult situation and overcome your reservations. Finden fits a simple opinion, while abgewinnen fits this kind of contrast.
Ich kann dem schwierigen Kurs trotz seiner langen Texte interessante Aufgaben abgewinnen.
Despite its long texts, I can find interesting assignments in the difficult course.
Ich finde an dem schwierigen Kurs interessante Aufgaben.
I find interesting assignments in the difficult course.
