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.
'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 mean that something moves downward or becomes less. 'fallen' is more general and fits quick downward movements, but also prices, temperatures, or numbers. 'absinken' often sounds slower and tends to describe a level becoming lower step by step. With water, ground, temperature, or performance, 'absinken' is often more precise. Learners may confuse the words because both can be used for abstract values. As a simple guide: 'fallen' is broader and more everyday, while 'absinken' emphasizes a level becoming lower.
In der Nacht sinkt die Temperatur im Tal langsam ab.
At night, the temperature in the valley slowly drops.
Nach dem Feiertag sind die Preise für Benzin wieder gefallen.
After the holiday, gas prices fell again.