01
abschneiden
to cut off
To separate part of something using a sharp tool (e.g., a knife or scissors).
example
Kannst du mir bitte eine Scheibe von dem Brot abschneiden?
Could you please cut me a slice off that bread?
abschneiden
to cut off / to perform
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable verb
'Abschneiden' (to cut off/to perform) is a separable verb. The prefix 'ab-' goes at the end in a main clause, stays connected to the verb in a subordinate clause, and in the infinitive with 'zu', 'zu' comes between the prefix and the verb.
EXAMPLE
Er schneidet sich ein großes Stück vom Kuchen ab.
He cuts himself a large piece off the cake.
Word structure
The verb consists of the prefix 'ab-' (away/off) and the verb 'schneiden' (to cut). The literal meaning 'etwas wegschneiden' (to cut something away) also helps you understand the figurative meaning 'to isolate from something'.
EXAMPLE
Der Friseur hat mir die Haare zu kurz abgeschnitten.
The hairdresser cut my hair too short.
Typical collocations
In the meaning of 'to achieve a result', 'abschneiden' is almost always combined with an adverb that evaluates performance. Typical phrases are 'gut', 'schlecht', 'hervorragend', or 'erfolgreich abschneiden' (to perform well, badly, excellently, or successfully).
EXAMPLE
Wie hast du im Test abgeschnitten?
How did you perform on the test?
Sentence structure in the passive
When someone or something is isolated, this meaning is usually used in the passive with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be). The preposition 'von' names what the person or place is separated from.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Erdrutsch waren mehrere Dörfer von der Außenwelt abgeschnitten.
After the landslide, several villages were cut off from the outside world.
Dative construction
When you cut something off for another person, that person is in the dative. The pattern is: jemandem (dative) etwas (accusative) abschneiden.
EXAMPLE
Schneidest du mir bitte auch ein Stück Wurst ab?
Could you please cut me a piece of sausage too?
Compare with
abschneiden vs bestehen
to pass / consist / exist
'bestehen' and 'abschneiden' can both be used in connection with exams, tests, or evaluations. But the difference is important: 'bestehen' means that you were successful and did not fail. 'abschneiden' describes how good or bad the result was. So you can pass an exam and still only perform moderately well. The words are easy to confuse because both are used after an exam. If the only important point is whether someone succeeded, use 'bestehen'. If you are talking about the quality of the result, 'abschneiden' fits.
abschneiden
Bei der Präsentation hat unsere Gruppe besser abgeschnitten als erwartet.
In the presentation, our group performed better than expected.
bestehen
Ihr besteht die Prüfung nur, wenn ihr mindestens die Hälfte der Punkte erreicht.
You will only pass the exam if you get at least half of the points.
In real life
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