to abolish / get rid of
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to abolish
To officially declare a law, regulation, institution, or custom invalid and put it out of force.
Viele Menschen sind dafür, die obligatorische Zeitumstellung im Frühling und Herbst abzuschaffen.
Many people are in favor of abolishing the mandatory clock change in spring and autumn.
to get rid of
Colloquial for removing or giving away an object that one no longer needs or wants to have.
Wir haben unseren alten Fernseher abgeschafft und lesen abends jetzt mehr.
We got rid of our old TV and now read more in the evenings.
to wear oneself out
Used colloquially and reflexively, it means to completely exhaust oneself through excessive work or effort.
Wenn du so weiterarbeitest, schaffst du dich noch komplett ab.
If you keep working like that, you'll completely wear yourself out.
'Abschaffen' (to abolish/get rid of) is a separable verb. The prefix 'ab-' stands at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Die Regierung schafft dieses alte Gesetz ab.
The government is abolishing this old law.
The meaning can be recognized well from the object or the usage. An abstract object (law, rule) points to the formal meaning 'to put out of force'. A concrete object (car, furniture) points to the colloquial meaning 'to get rid of'. The reflexive form 'sich abschaffen' always means 'to overwork oneself'.
Die Sklaverei wurde im 19. Jahrhundert abgeschafft.
Slavery was abolished in the 19th century.
In its formal meaning, 'abschaffen' is used for things that are ended by an official decision. Typical objects are: 'ein Gesetz' (a law), 'eine Regel' (a rule), 'die Todesstrafe' (the death penalty), 'Grenzkontrollen' (border controls), or 'ein Privileg' (a privilege).
Das Parlament diskutiert darüber, eine bestimmte Steuer abzuschaffen.
Parliament is discussing abolishing a certain tax.
The expression 'sich abschaffen' (to wear oneself out) is colloquial and reflexive. It means that one ruins oneself physically and mentally through too much work or stress. The person who overexerts themselves is both the subject and the reflexive object.
Pass auf dich auf und schaff dich nicht so ab!
Take care of yourself and don't wear yourself out like that!
to pick up / keep / cancel
Aufheben and abschaffen can both officially end a regulation. Aufheben refers more to the specific formal act that brings its validity to an end; abschaffen places greater emphasis on permanently eliminating the regulation. Aufheben is suitable for official resolutions, while abschaffen is often used for a fundamental change.
Der Stadtrat schaffte die alte Parkregel nach langer Diskussion ab.
The city council abolished the old parking rule after a lengthy discussion.
Der Stadtrat hob die alte Parkregel in seiner Sitzung auf.
The city council canceled the old parking rule at its meeting.
