abmachen
to agree
To discuss something with one or more people and establish it as binding.
EXAMPLE
Wir haben abgemacht, dass wir uns morgen um 10 Uhr treffen.
We agreed that we would meet tomorrow at 10 o'clock.
abmachen
to agree / remove
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Meanings
abmachen
to remove
To detach and remove something that is attached to another thing.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du bitte das alte Preisschild von der Flasche abmachen?
Can you please remove the old price tag from the bottle?
etwas mit sich abmachen
to decide for oneself
To make a decision on one's own or settle a matter internally without involving other people.
EXAMPLE
Ob du den Job annimmst oder nicht, musst du ganz allein mit dir selbst abmachen.
Whether you accept the job or not is something you have to decide entirely for yourself.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Abmachen' (to agree / remove) is a separable verb. The prefix 'ab-' comes at the end in a main clause; in subordinate clauses the verb stays together, and in the infinitive with 'zu', 'zu' stands between 'ab' and 'machen'.
EXAMPLE
Wir machen für morgen einen Termin ab.
We arrange an appointment for tomorrow.
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning from the context: if it is about an agreement between people, 'vereinbaren' (to agree/arrange) is meant. If an object is detached from another object, it means 'entfernen' (to remove). The expression 'mit sich selbst abmachen' means 'entscheiden' (to decide).
EXAMPLE
Die beiden Firmen haben einen neuen Vertrag abgemacht.
The two companies agreed on a new contract.
Sentence structure with agreements
When you want to express what was agreed, you often use a subordinate clause with 'dass' or an infinitive construction with 'zu'.
EXAMPLE
Wir haben abgemacht, dass jeder die Hälfte bezahlt.
We agreed that everyone would pay half.
Correct preposition
When you remove something, the surface it is removed from is introduced with the preposition 'von' and the dative.
EXAMPLE
Er macht das Kaugummi von seiner Schuhsohle ab.
He removes the chewing gum from the sole of his shoe.
Fixed expression
The meaning 'to decide for oneself' is used almost exclusively in the fixed expression 'etwas mit sich (selbst) abmachen' (to decide something for oneself). The pronoun 'sich' is necessary here.
EXAMPLE
Diese Entscheidung muss jeder mit sich selbst abmachen.
Everyone has to make this decision for themselves.
Compare with
abmachen vs entfernen
to remove
Both verbs can describe taking away an attached object. Abmachen emphasizes loosening the attachment; entfernen focuses more neutrally on taking something away or getting rid of it. When an object is clearly attached, both often work, but with a different emphasis.
abmachen
Vor dem Streichen macht Lea das festgeklebte Schild von der Tür ab.
Before painting, Lea takes the sign that is glued to the door off.
entfernen
Vor dem Streichen entfernt Lea das festgeklebte Schild von der Tür.
Before painting, Lea removes the sign that is glued to the door.
In real life
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