01
abrutschen
to slip
To unintentionally lose one's grip or footing and slide downward.
example
Pass auf, der Pfad ist nass und man kann leicht abrutschen.
Be careful, the path is wet and you can easily slip.
abrutschen
to slip / to slide down
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable verb
'Abrutschen' is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'ab-' goes at the end of the sentence. In subordinate clauses or in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Vorsicht, der Hang rutscht bei Regen ab.
Careful, the slope slides down when it rains.
Auxiliary verb in the perfect tense
Since 'abrutschen' always describes a movement or a change of state, the perfect tense is formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be) in all meanings.
EXAMPLE
Ich bin auf der vereisten Treppe abgerutscht.
I slipped on the icy stairs.
From literal to figurative
The literal meaning of sliding downward is transferred to other areas. In a figurative sense, you can 'abrutschen' (slide) into a bad situation, poor performance, or a low social status.
EXAMPLE
Ohne Unterstützung der Familie wäre er vielleicht in die Kriminalität abgerutscht.
Without support from his family, he might have slid into crime.
Prepositions for the state
When a decline is described, a preposition is often used to indicate the result. Typical are 'abrutschen auf' + accusative (for a rank) or 'abrutschen in' + accusative (for a state).
EXAMPLE
Der Verein ist auf den vorletzten Tabellenplatz abgerutscht.
The club has slipped to second-to-last place in the table.
Dative construction
When clothing or objects slip down from a person, that person is in the dative. The slipping item is the subject of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Mir rutscht ständig die Hose.
My pants keep slipping down.
Compare with
abrutschen vs stürzen
to fall / overthrow
'stürzen' and 'abrutschen' can both lead to an accident in which someone falls downward. But 'abrutschen' first describes the slipping: you lose your grip or footing and slide downward, for example on ice, on a slope, or from a ladder. 'stürzen' describes the fall itself more strongly and often the moment when someone lands on the ground. The words can be confused because 'abrutschen' often ends in a fall. If you want to emphasize the sliding movement, 'abrutschen' fits. If you want to emphasize the fall or accident, 'stürzen' fits.
abrutschen
Auf dem nassen Stein rutscht die Wanderin ab.
The hiker slips on the wet stone.
stürzen
Am Abend stürzt er vor der Haustür und verletzt sich am Knie.
In the evening, he falls in front of the front door and injures his knee.
In real life
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