01
der Abhang
slope
An inclined, descending surface on a mountain or hill.
example
Die Kinder rodelten den verschneiten Abhang hinunter.
The children sledded down the snowy slope.
der Abhang
slope
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word composition
The word 'Abhang' (slope) is made up of the prefix 'ab-' (downward) and the noun 'der Hang' (slope, inclined surface). So it literally describes a slope that leads downward.
EXAMPLE
Vorsicht, der Abhang ist sehr steil!
Careful, the slope is very steep!
Place and direction
To describe a position, you use the preposition 'an' with the dative. To describe movement downward, you use the accusative with adverbs such as 'hinunter' (down) or 'hinab' (downward).
EXAMPLE
Wir machten eine Pause an einem sonnigen Abhang.
We took a break on a sunny slope.
Typical adjectives
An 'Abhang' (slope) is often described with adjectives that characterize its incline or condition. Common combinations are 'steiler Abhang' (steep slope), 'sanfter Abhang' (gentle slope), 'felsiger Abhang' (rocky slope), or 'grasbewachsener Abhang' (grassy slope).
EXAMPLE
Hinter dem Haus beginnt ein steiler, felsiger Abhang.
Behind the house, a steep, rocky slope begins.
Compare with
Abhang vs Abstieg
descent / relegation / decline
'der Abstieg' and 'der Abhang' can both have to do with mountains or hills, but they do not mean the same thing. 'der Abstieg' is the action or path downward: you go from higher up to lower down. 'der Abhang' is the sloping surface itself, so a part of the terrain. Learners may confuse the words because both begin with 'ab' and occur in similar situations. Remember: you can make a descent on a slope.
Abhang
Am steilen Abhang wachsen nur wenige Bäume.
Only a few trees grow on the steep slope.
Abstieg
Nach dem langen Aufstieg war der Abstieg ins Tal besonders anstrengend.
After the long climb, the descent into the valley was especially exhausting.
In real life
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