to sink / drop
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to sink
To move slowly downward and lose height or level. This can refer to objects in water, the water level itself, or also parts of the ground.
Das U-Boot begann langsam in die Tiefe abzusinken.
The submarine slowly began to sink into the depths.
to drop
To become lower in value, quantity, level, or quality. Often refers to abstract quantities such as prices, temperatures, or performance.
Die Temperaturen sind über Nacht auf unter null Grad abgesunken.
The temperatures dropped below zero degrees overnight.
to sink
To fall to a lower moral, social, or intellectual level. This use has a strongly negative connotation.
Nach dem Verlust seines Jobs ist er gesellschaftlich tief abgesunken.
After losing his job, he sank very low socially.
'Absinken' (to sink/drop) 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.
Das Schiff sank langsam auf den Meeresgrund ab.
The ship slowly sank down to the seabed.
The perfect tense of 'absinken' (to sink/drop) is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be), because it describes a change of state or position. A common mistake is using 'haben' (to have).
Die Produktivität ist im letzten Quartal deutlich abgesunken.
Productivity dropped significantly in the last quarter.
In the abstract meaning, 'absinken' (to drop) is often used for measurable values. Typical nouns are 'die Temperatur' (the temperature), 'die Preise' (the prices), 'das Niveau' (the level), 'die Qualität' (the quality), or 'die Moral' (morale).
Die Qualität der Produkte ist in den letzten Jahren leider abgesunken.
The quality of the products has unfortunately dropped in recent years.
The meaning of social or moral decline is strongly negative and judgmental. It is often intensified with adverbs such as 'tief' (deeply/very low) or 'völlig' (completely) to emphasize the decline.
Er ist nach seiner Entlassung gesellschaftlich tief abgesunken.
After his dismissal, he sank very low socially.
to fall
Fallen and absinken can both describe a decrease in prices or temperatures. Fallen is the general term for the change. Absinken often suggests a gradual process toward a lower level and is especially suitable when this progression is important.
Im Laufe der Nacht sinkt die Temperatur langsam auf zehn Grad ab.
The temperature gradually drops to ten degrees over the course of the night.
Am Abend fällt die Temperatur auf zehn Grad.
The temperature falls to ten degrees in the evening.
