abnehmend
decreasing
Becoming smaller in amount, size, strength, or intensity; becoming less.
EXAMPLE
Das Interesse an der Veranstaltung war in den letzten Wochen stark abnehmend.
Interest in the event had been sharply decreasing in recent weeks.
abnehmend
decreasing / waning
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Meanings
abnehmend
waning
Describes the phase of the moon after the full moon, during which the visible, illuminated part becomes smaller.
EXAMPLE
Bei abnehmendem Mond soll man am besten die Fenster putzen.
People say it is best to clean the windows during a waning moon.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Abnehmend' (decreasing / waning) is the present participle of the separable verb 'abnehmen' (to decrease / to lose weight). The verb means 'to become less' or 'to lose weight', and this meaning transfers directly to the adjective.
EXAMPLE
Die Zahl der Teilnehmer nimmt seit Wochen ab.
The number of participants has been decreasing for weeks.
Sentence structure
You can use 'abnehmend' (decreasing / waning) like a normal adjective before a noun, or use it as an adverb to describe an event or development. In the first case it is declined; in the second it remains unchanged.
EXAMPLE
Eine abnehmende Nachfrage führt zu sinkenden Preisen.
Decreasing demand leads to falling prices.
Typical collocations
In its general meaning, 'abnehmend' (decreasing) is often combined with abstract concepts. Typical phrases are 'abnehmendes Interesse' (decreasing interest), 'abnehmende Kraft' (decreasing strength), or 'abnehmende Bedeutung' (decreasing importance).
EXAMPLE
Mit abnehmender Kraft konnte der Sportler das Tempo nicht mehr halten.
With decreasing strength, the athlete could no longer maintain the pace.
Context clue
You can almost always recognize this special meaning from the word 'Mond' (moon). The phrase 'abnehmender Mond' (waning moon) is a fixed collocation in astronomy and folk belief.
EXAMPLE
Der Kalender zeigt an, wann zunehmender und abnehmender Mond ist.
The calendar shows when the moon is waxing and waning.
Compare with
abnehmend vs rückläufig
declining / retrograde
Rückläufig and abnehmend both mean that something is becoming less. Rückläufig is preferred for a statistical or longer-term trend and sounds more formal. Abnehmend focuses more generally on the process of reduction itself.
abnehmend
Im Sommer bemerkte der Händler abnehmende Verkaufszahlen.
In the summer, the retailer noticed that sales figures were decreasing.
rückläufig
Der Jahresbericht zeigt seit fünf Jahren rückläufige Verkaufszahlen.
The annual report shows declining sales figures over the past five years.
In real life
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