to copy / write off
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to copy
To copy a text without permission from someone else or from a source, especially in exams or homework (to plagiarize).
Wer beim Test abschreibt, bekommt die Note sechs.
Anyone who copies during the test gets a failing grade.
'Abschreiben' (to copy / to write 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.
Er schreibt die Lösung von seinem Freund ab.
He copies the solution from his friend.
You can recognize the meaning of 'abschreiben' (to copy / to write off) from the context. In a school or university context, it is about copying. In connection with money and possessions, it means 'to consider something a loss'. In accounting, it has the special meaning 'to reduce the value'.
Der Lehrer hat gesehen, wie du abgeschrieben hast.
The teacher saw you copying.
When it is about unauthorized copying, the source is indicated with the preposition 'von' and the dative. Most of the time, the source is a person.
Sie hat ihre Hausaufgaben von ihrer besten Freundin abgeschrieben.
She copied her homework from her best friend.
In the meaning 'to give up on someone', the word is often used colloquially and figuratively. It expresses that you no longer have hope for a person or a relationship.
Nach dem Streit habe ich ihn als Freund abgeschrieben.
After the argument, I wrote him off as a friend.
The meaning 'to reduce the value of an asset' is a technical term from accounting and is used almost only in business contexts.
Ein neues Firmenauto muss steuerlich abgeschrieben werden.
A new company car has to be depreciated for tax purposes.
to disregard / to foresee
'absehen' and 'abschreiben' can both mean that, in an exam or assignment, someone gets unauthorized help from another source. They can therefore easily be confused. 'absehen' emphasizes secretly looking at another person’s work, for example at a neighbor’s paper. 'abschreiben' emphasizes copying the text or the solution. In many everyday situations, people more often say 'abschreiben', especially for homework or exams. 'absehen' is more closely connected with secretly glancing at the solution.
Lisa hat die Lösung nicht selbst gerechnet, sondern von Paul abgeschrieben.
Lisa did not solve the problem herself, but copied the answer from Paul.
Während des Tests hat der Schüler von seinem Nachbarn abgesehen.
During the test, the student copied from his neighbor.