der Ableger
offshoot
A young shoot of a plant that can be separated from the parent plant and replanted for propagation.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe von meiner Grünlilie einen Ableger für dich gemacht.
I made an offshoot from my spider plant for you.
der Ableger
offshoot
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
der Ableger
subsidiary / branch
A subsidiary, branch, or spin-off that has emerged from a larger organization or company.
EXAMPLE
Die Softwarefirma gründete einen Ableger im Silicon Valley.
The software company founded a branch in Silicon Valley.
der Ableger
spin-off
In a figurative sense, often disparaging, a descendant or successor that is strongly shaped by its model and shows little independence.
EXAMPLE
Kritiker bezeichnen die neue Serie als billigen Ableger eines amerikanischen Erfolgsformats.
Critics describe the new series as a cheap spin-off of a successful American format.
Usage tips
Word structure
'Der Ableger' (offshoot) derives from the verb 'ablegen' (to lay down, put aside, or deposit). In horticulture, you 'lay down' ('legt ... ab') a shoot from the parent plant in order to grow a new plant. This basic idea of splitting off from something larger is transferred to the other meanings.
EXAMPLE
Dieser kleine Kaktus ist ein Ableger von meiner großen Pflanze.
This little cactus is an offshoot of my large plant.
Context clues
You can easily recognize the meaning from the context. If it is about 'Pflanzen' (plants) or 'Garten' (garden), it means a plant shoot. In the context of 'Unternehmen' (companies), 'Firma' (firm/company), or 'Organisation' (organization), it means a subsidiary. With 'Filmen' (films), 'Serien' (series), or 'Büchern' (books), it refers to a derived work (spin-off).
EXAMPLE
Meine Monstera hat schon wieder drei neue Ableger.
My monstera has already produced three new offshoots again.
Typical verbs (plant)
In connection with plants, 'Ableger' (offshoot) is often used with the verbs 'machen' (to make), 'nehmen' (to take), or 'einpflanzen' (to plant). The preposition 'von' (from/of) describes the origin from the parent plant.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du mir einen Ableger von deiner schönen Rose machen?
Can you make me an offshoot from your beautiful rose?
Typical verbs (company)
When referring to a subsidiary, typical verbs are 'gründen' (to found) or 'eröffnen' (to open). The affiliation is often expressed with 'von' (of/from) or a genitive.
EXAMPLE
Das Technologieunternehmen plant einen Ableger in Berlin.
The technology company is planning a branch in Berlin.
Register and style
In this meaning, 'Ableger' (spin-off/offshoot) is often used disparagingly or critically. Common combinations are 'ein billiger Ableger' (a cheap spin-off), 'ein schwacher Ableger' (a weak spin-off), or 'nur ein Ableger von etwas sein' (to be only a spin-off of something).
EXAMPLE
Viele Fans waren enttäuscht und nannten den Film einen seelenlosen Ableger.
Many fans were disappointed and called the film a soulless spin-off.
Compare with
Ableger vs Ausläufer
foothill / offshoot
Both words concern the propagation of a plant. An Ausläufer is the long shoot from which new plants can develop. An Ableger is a young shoot that can be separated from the parent plant and replanted.
Ableger
Ich trenne den Ableger von der Erdbeerpflanze und setze ihn in einen eigenen Topf.
I separate the offshoot from the strawberry plant and plant it in its own pot.
Ausläufer
Ein langer Ausläufer verbindet die Erdbeerpflanze mit dem jungen Trieb.
A long runner connects the strawberry plant to the young shoot.
In real life
Loading video examples...