to send off
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to send off
To send something by post, parcel service, or another delivery service.
Ich muss das Paket noch heute abschicken, damit es rechtzeitig ankommt.
I still have to send off the package today so that it arrives on time.
'Abschicken' (to send off) is a separable verb. The prefix 'ab-' comes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu,' the verb stays together.
Ich schicke den Brief morgen ab.
I will send off the letter tomorrow.
The prefix 'ab-' here emphasizes sending something away from a place or the completion of an action. It makes the basic verb 'schicken' (to send) more precise.
Sobald die E-Mail abgeschickt ist, können wir nichts mehr ändern.
Once the email has been sent, we can't change anything anymore.
When it is about sending something by post, 'abschicken' (to send off) is often used with objects like 'einen Brief' (a letter), 'ein Paket' (a package), 'eine Postkarte' (a postcard), or 'eine Warensendung' (a merchandise shipment).
Meine Oma hat mir ein Paket mit Keksen abgeschickt.
My grandma sent me a package with cookies.
In a digital context, typical combinations are 'eine E-Mail abschicken' (to send an email), 'eine Nachricht abschicken' (to send a message), or 'ein Online-Formular abschicken' (to send/submit an online form).
Prüfe deine Nachricht noch einmal, bevor du sie abschickst.
Check your message one more time before you send it.
When a person is the object, 'abschicken' (to send off) usually means to send them away with an assignment. The construction is often: 'jemanden abschicken, um etwas zu tun' (to send someone off to do something).
Der Manager schickte einen Mitarbeiter ab, um die fehlenden Unterlagen zu besorgen.
The manager sent off an employee to get the missing documents.
to send
'schicken' and 'abschicken' both mean that something is sent to another person or another place. 'schicken' is more general: you can send a letter, a package, a message, or also a person. 'abschicken' puts more emphasis on the moment when something is actually sent off, for example a package at the post office or an email on a computer. Learners may confuse the words because both fit when talking about sending. In practice: when the process or the destination is important, 'schicken' often fits. When you are focusing on the click, the handover, or the start of the shipment, 'abschicken' is more precise.
Er schickt das Formular nach dem Gespräch per E-Mail ab.
He sends off the form by email after the conversation.
Nach dem Essen schicke ich meiner Schwester ein Foto aus der Küche.
After dinner, I send my sister a photo from the kitchen.