absetzen
to set down
To put something that one has been carrying or holding down in a place.
EXAMPLE
Er setzte seinen schweren Koffer auf dem Boden ab, um sich auszuruhen.
He set his heavy suitcase down on the floor to rest.
absetzen
to set down / sell / discontinue
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Meanings
absetzen
to sell
To sell goods or a product.
EXAMPLE
Das Unternehmen konnte im letzten Jahr eine Rekordzahl an Fahrzeugen absetzen.
The company was able to sell a record number of vehicles last year.
absetzen
to discontinue
To stop taking a medication or drug.
EXAMPLE
Man sollte ein Antibiotikum nie eigenmächtig vorzeitig absetzen.
You should never discontinue an antibiotic early on your own authority.
sich absetzen
to flee
To leave a place secretly or in a hurry in order to escape or avoid being pursued.
EXAMPLE
Der Verdächtige konnte sich vor dem Eintreffen der Polizei ins Ausland absetzen.
The suspect was able to flee abroad before the police arrived.
absetzen
to deduct
To claim expenses on a tax return in order to reduce the amount of tax to be paid.
EXAMPLE
Fahrtkosten zur Arbeit kann man von der Steuer absetzen.
You can deduct travel costs to work from your taxes.
absetzen
to remove from office
To remove someone from an office or position of power.
EXAMPLE
Der Vorstandsvorsitzende wurde nach dem Skandal von den Aktionären abgesetzt.
The CEO was removed from office by the shareholders after the scandal.
sich absetzen
to settle
To separate from a liquid as a solid component and sink to the bottom.
EXAMPLE
Nach einer Weile begann sich der Kaffeesatz am Boden der Tasse abzusetzen.
After a while, the coffee grounds began to settle at the bottom of the cup.
absetzen
to drop off
To let someone get out of a vehicle at a specific place.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du mich bitte an der nächsten Ecke absetzen?
Can you please drop me off at the next corner?
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Absetzen' is a separable verb. The prefix 'ab-' comes at the end of the main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Der Pilot setzt die Maschine sicher ab.
The pilot sets the aircraft down safely.
Reflexive use
Some meanings of 'absetzen' are reflexive, meaning they are used with 'sich' (oneself). This applies to secretly leaving a place ('sich absetzen', to flee) and to particles sinking in a liquid.
EXAMPLE
Die Diebe setzten sich nach Spanien ab.
The thieves fled to Spain.
Literal meaning
The most basic meaning should be understood literally: to put down something that one is carrying or holding. Typical objects are suitcases, bags, backpacks, or hats.
EXAMPLE
Sie setzte vorsichtig die Gläser auf dem Tisch ab.
She carefully set the glasses down on the table.
Context: business
In a business context, 'absetzen' always means 'to sell'. It is often used to talk about the sales success of products or goods.
EXAMPLE
Der Hersteller konnte im ersten Quartal über eine Million Smartphones absetzen.
The manufacturer was able to sell over a million smartphones in the first quarter.
Context: medicine
In a medical context, 'absetzen' exclusively means to stop taking a medication. It is almost always combined with words like 'Medikament' (medication), 'Tabletten' (tablets), or 'Dosis' (dose).
EXAMPLE
Der Arzt hat entschieden, das Schmerzmittel langsam abzusetzen.
The doctor decided to discontinue the painkiller gradually.
Fixed expression: taxes
The phrase 'etwas von der Steuer absetzen' (to deduct something from one's taxes) is a fixed expression. It means that you list certain expenses on your tax return in order to pay less tax.
EXAMPLE
Man kann die Kosten für Fachbücher von der Steuer absetzen.
You can deduct the cost of specialist books from your taxes.
Context: power
When referring to people in positions of power, for example a king, president, or managing director, 'absetzen' means to remove that person from office.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Putsch wurde der Diktator abgesetzt.
After the coup, the dictator was removed from office.
Context: transport
In connection with vehicles and people, 'absetzen' means to let someone get out at a specific place or to drop someone off.
EXAMPLE
Der Busfahrer hat mich direkt vor meiner Haustür abgesetzt.
The bus driver dropped me off right in front of my front door.
Compare with
verkaufeneinstellenaufhörenentlassenverschiebenfliehenstürzenvertreibenabziehenablegenabstellenniederlassenabwählen
absetzen vs verkaufen
to sell
Verkaufen and absetzen can both refer to selling goods. Verkaufen focuses more on an individual sale and the transfer to a buyer, while absetzen often emphasizes the quantity sold or a company's sales performance. Verkaufen is usually used with individual customers, while absetzen is often used with sales figures.
absetzen
Der Händler setzte von diesem Modell in einer Woche hundert Stück ab.
The retailer sold one hundred units of this model in a week.
verkaufen
Der Händler verkaufte heute das letzte Stück an eine Kundin.
The retailer sold the last one to a customer today.
In real life
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