absehen von
to disregard
To deliberately not take something into account, ignore it, or make an exception.
EXAMPLE
Wenn wir mal von den Kosten absehen, ist der Plan wirklich gut.
If we disregard the costs for a moment, the plan is really good.
absehen
to disregard / to foresee
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Meanings
es auf jemanden/etwas absehen
to be after
To intend to get, harm, or reach someone or something; to target someone or something.
EXAMPLE
Der Dieb hatte es auf die teuren Uhren abgesehen.
The thief was after the expensive watches.
absehen
to foresee
To foresee or sense something that will happen in the future.
EXAMPLE
Die langfristigen Folgen dieser Entscheidung waren damals noch nicht abzusehen.
The long-term consequences of this decision could not yet be foreseen at the time.
absehen
to copy
To secretly copy or look at information from someone else during an exam or assignment.
EXAMPLE
Wer beim Test vom Nachbarn absieht, bekommt eine Sechs.
Anyone who copies from their neighbor during the test gets an F.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Absehen' is a separable verb. The prefix 'ab-' goes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Ich sehe von einer Anzeige ab.
I decide not to file a complaint.
Context clues
The meaning of 'absehen' is recognizable from the sentence structure: 'absehen von' means to ignore or disregard, 'es auf etwas absehen' means to target or be after something, and without a complement it means to foresee or to copy.
EXAMPLE
Sehen wir von diesem kleinen Fehler ab.
Let’s overlook this small mistake.
Fixed preposition
In the meaning of 'ignorieren' (to ignore) or 'verzichten' (to refrain from), 'absehen' is always used with the preposition 'von' and the dative. The construction is: 'von etwas absehen' (to refrain from/disregard something).
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei sah von einer Strafe ab.
The police decided not to impose a penalty.
Fixed expression
The expression 'es auf jemanden/etwas absehen' (to be after someone/something) is fixed. The 'es' is an obligatory part of the construction, and the target of the intention is in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Die Mücke hat es offenbar auf mich abgesehen.
The mosquito is apparently after me.
Usage pattern
In the meaning of 'voraussehen' (to foresee), 'absehen' is often used with modal verbs (especially 'können') or in the passive-like form 'ist abzusehen' (can be foreseen/is foreseeable). It usually refers to abstract things like consequences or developments.
EXAMPLE
Man kann noch nicht absehen, wie sich die Situation entwickeln wird.
It is not yet possible to foresee how the situation will develop.
School/exam context
This meaning is strongly associated with the context of exams or school. You can 'bei jemandem' (from someone) or 'von etwas' (from something, e.g., a note) 'absehen' (copy).
EXAMPLE
Er hat versucht, bei seiner Nachbarin abzusehen.
He tried to copy from the girl sitting next to him.
Compare with
absehen vs verzichten
to give up / to do without
Both words describe a deliberate decision not to do something or not to claim something. „Von etwas absehen“ tends to emphasize dropping a planned measure or making an exception, while „verzichten auf“ emphasizes voluntarily giving up a possible benefit or claim. Choose the verb according to which aspect is the focus.
absehen
Nach kurzer Beratung sah der Ausschuss von einer weiteren Prüfung ab.
After a brief discussion, the committee decided not to conduct any further review.
verzichten
Nach kurzer Beratung verzichtete der Ausschuss auf die zusätzliche Prüfung.
After a brief discussion, the committee gave up the option of conducting the additional review.
In real life
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