abheben
to withdraw
To take money out of a bank account, usually at an ATM.
EXAMPLE
Ich muss noch schnell zur Bank, um Geld für das Wochenende abzuheben.
I still need to quickly go to the bank to withdraw money for the weekend.
abheben
to withdraw / take off / pick up
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Meanings
abheben
to take off
To leave the ground and begin flying, referring to airplanes, helicopters, or birds.
EXAMPLE
Trotz des starken Windes ist das Flugzeug sicher abgehoben.
Despite the strong wind, the plane took off safely.
abheben
to pick up
To lift the receiver of a telephone in order to answer a call.
EXAMPLE
Das Telefon klingelt ununterbrochen, aber niemand hebt ab.
The phone is ringing nonstop, but no one is picking up.
sich abheben von
to stand out
To differ positively or noticeably from other people or things; to attract attention.
EXAMPLE
Durch ihr farbenfrohes Kleid hob sie sich deutlich von den anderen Gästen ab.
With her colorful dress, she stood out clearly from the other guests.
abheben
to get arrogant
To become arrogant and conceited, losing touch with reality or with one's origins.
EXAMPLE
Seit er berühmt ist, ist er total abgehoben und erkennt seine alten Freunde nicht mehr.
Since he became famous, he has become totally arrogant and no longer recognizes his old friends.
abheben
to lift off
To lift or remove an object from a surface.
EXAMPLE
Heb bitte vorsichtig den Deckel vom heißen Topf ab.
Please carefully lift the lid off the hot pot.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Abheben' is a separable verb. The prefix 'ab-' goes at the end of the main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Ich hebe schnell Geld ab.
I'm quickly withdrawing money.
Word structure
The verb consists of the prefix 'ab-' (away, from a surface) and 'heben' (to lift). This literal meaning, 'to lift something away from something', helps you understand many of the figurative meanings.
EXAMPLE
Das Flugzeug hebt vom Boden ab.
The plane takes off from the ground.
Context clue: money
In this meaning, the object is almost always 'Geld' (money). The context is usually a bank, an ATM, or an account.
EXAMPLE
Kann man an diesem Automaten auch Geld abheben?
Can you withdraw money from this ATM too?
Context clue: flying
When it is about flying, the subject of the sentence is always the flying object itself, for example 'das Flugzeug' (the airplane), 'der Hubschrauber' (the helicopter), or 'der Vogel' (the bird).
EXAMPLE
Die Maschine nach München ist pünktlich abgehoben.
The flight to Munich took off on time.
Context clue: telephone
This meaning is used only in connection with a phone call. The object 'den Hörer' (the receiver) is often left out when the context is clear.
EXAMPLE
Warum hebt denn niemand ab? Das Telefon klingelt schon ewig.
Why isn't anyone picking up? The phone has been ringing forever.
Reflexive with a preposition
In the meaning 'auffallen' (to stand out), the verb is always reflexive and is used with the fixed preposition 'von' + dative: 'sich von etwas/jemandem abheben' (to stand out from something/someone).
EXAMPLE
Mit seiner kreativen Idee hob er sich von allen anderen Bewerbern ab.
With his creative idea, he stood out from all the other applicants.
Colloquial meaning
When a person 'abhebt' (gets arrogant) or 'abgehoben ist' (is arrogant/out of touch), it means colloquially that they have become arrogant and lost touch with reality. This meaning is often negative.
EXAMPLE
Seit seinem Erfolg wirkt er auf mich ziemlich abgehoben.
Since his success, he seems pretty arrogant to me.
Compare with
abheben vs starten
to start
When talking about a flight, both starten and abheben can be appropriate. Starten generally refers to the beginning of the flight or the scheduled departure, while abheben refers to the moment when the airplane actually leaves the ground. Use starten for the beginning of the flight and abheben for the loss of contact with the ground.
abheben
Das Flugzeug hebt nach wenigen Metern auf der Startbahn ab.
The plane takes off after a few meters on the runway.
starten
Das Flugzeug startet heute pünktlich um zehn Uhr.
The plane starts promptly at ten o’clock today.
In real life
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