01
absitzen
to serve
To serve a prison sentence.
example
Er musste eine Haftstrafe von drei Jahren absitzen.
He had to serve a three-year prison sentence.
absitzen
to serve / to sit out / to dismount
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable verb
'Absitzen' is a separable verb. The prefix 'ab' goes to the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses, the verb stays together, and in the infinitive with 'zu', 'zu' goes in the middle.
EXAMPLE
Er saß seine Strafe bis zum letzten Tag ab.
He served his sentence until the very last day.
Context clue
The object of the sentence reveals the meaning. 'Eine Strafe' (a sentence/punishment) or 'Jahre' (years) with 'absitzen' means serving a prison sentence. 'Die Zeit' (the time) or 'Stunden' (hours) with 'absitzen' means waiting in a bored way. Without an object or with 'von' (e.g. 'vom Pferd'—from the horse), it means to dismount.
EXAMPLE
Er musste zwei Jahre im Gefängnis absitzen.
He had to serve two years in prison.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'to serve a sentence', the verb is almost always used with an accusative object that names the type or length of the sentence. Typical phrases are 'eine Haftstrafe absitzen' (to serve a prison sentence) or 'eine Gefängnisstrafe absitzen' (to serve a jail/prison sentence).
EXAMPLE
Wegen des Betrugs musste der Manager eine lange Haftstrafe absitzen.
Because of the fraud, the manager had to serve a long prison sentence.
Use with 'von'
When 'absitzen' means 'absteigen' (to dismount / to get off), it is often used with the preposition 'von' and the dative to say what someone is getting off. But it can also stand without this addition.
EXAMPLE
Die Radfahrer saßen von ihren Rädern ab, um eine Pause zu machen.
The cyclists got off their bikes to take a break.
Compare with
absitzen vs sitzen
to sit
'sitzen' and 'absitzen' can both mean that someone is serving a prison sentence. 'sitzen' is colloquial and often shorter: for example, you say that someone 'sitzt im Gefängnis' (is in prison). 'absitzen' puts more emphasis on the sentence or the length of time that someone has to spend in full. It sounds more precise when talking about a judgment or a specific period of time. Learners may confuse the words because both occur in the prison context. As a simple guide: 'im Gefängnis sitzen' describes the state, while 'eine Strafe absitzen' (to serve a sentence) describes serving that sentence.
absitzen
Nach dem Urteil muss er noch sechs Monate absitzen.
After the judgment, he still has to serve six months.
sitzen
Der Mann sitzt seit zwei Jahren im Gefängnis.
The man has been in prison for two years.
In real life
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