01
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
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 04
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' and 'abkühlen' can both mean that something becomes colder or is made colder. The most important difference is: 'kühlen' often emphasizes the active action. Someone makes something cold or keeps it cool. 'abkühlen' can also happen without an active person: the soup is sitting on the table and gets cooler by itself. When referring to your own body, 'sich kühlen' and 'sich abkühlen' are very similar. Learners can easily confuse the words because both have to do with a lower temperature. As a guide: 'kühlen' sounds more active, while 'abkühlen' often describes the process or the result.
abkühlen
Die Suppe ist noch zu heiß und muss erst ein paar Minuten abkühlen.
The soup is still too hot and needs to cool down for a few minutes first.
kühlen
Nach dem Training kühle ich mein Gesicht mit kaltem Wasser.
After training, I cool my face with cold water.
In real life
Loading video examples...