abkühlen
to cool down
To become cooler; to lose temperature.
EXAMPLE
Lass die Suppe erst etwas abkühlen, bevor du sie isst.
Let the soup cool down a little before you eat it.
abkühlen
to cool down
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Meanings
sich abkühlen
to cool oneself down
To make one's own body cooler, for example by taking a swim or having a cold drink.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Sonnenbad sprang er ins Meer, um sich abzukühlen.
After sunbathing, he jumped into the sea to cool himself down.
abkühlen
to cool down
To actively make something cooler.
EXAMPLE
Der Mechaniker musste den überhitzten Motor mit Wasser abkühlen.
The mechanic had to cool down the overheated engine with water.
abkühlen
to cool off
To lose intensity, passion, or enthusiasm. Often refers to feelings or relationships.
EXAMPLE
Nach der anfänglichen Euphorie ist die Beziehung zwischen den beiden merklich abgekühlt.
After the initial euphoria, the relationship between the two has noticeably cooled off.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Abkühlen' (to cool down) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'ab' comes at the end of the sentence. In subordinate clauses or in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Das Essen kühlt langsam ab.
The food is slowly cooling down.
Word family
The verb 'abkühlen' (to cool down) belongs to the word family of 'kühl' (cool). It describes the process of becoming cool or making something cool.
EXAMPLE
An heißen Tagen ist ein kühles Getränk eine Wohltat.
On hot days, a cool drink is a real treat.
Three grammatical patterns
'Abkühlen' (to cool down) can be used in three ways: intransitively (something becomes cooler by itself), transitively (someone makes something cooler), and reflexively (someone cools themselves down).
EXAMPLE
Der Motor muss erst abkühlen.
The engine has to cool down first.
Figurative meaning
In a figurative sense, 'abkühlen' (to cool off) describes feelings fading or a relationship becoming more distant. It is often used for 'Begeisterung' (enthusiasm), 'Interesse' (interest), or 'Liebe' (love).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Streit ist ihre Freundschaft merklich abgekühlt.
After the argument, their friendship has noticeably cooled off.
Compare with
abkühlen vs kühlen
to cool
Kühlen usually refers to a deliberate action that makes something reach a lower temperature. Abkühlen can also refer to this action, but it emphasizes the change in temperature more strongly and can also be used without a person carrying out the action. Therefore, only abkühlen is appropriate for something becoming cooler on its own.
abkühlen
Während des Wartens kühlt der heiße Tee von selbst ab.
While we wait, the hot tea cools down on its own.
kühlen
Ich kühle den heißen Tee gezielt mit einem Eiswürfel.
I deliberately cool the hot tea with an ice cube.
In real life
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