01
abspielen
to play
To play back an audio or video recording using a technical device.
example
Kannst du bitte mein Lieblingslied abspielen?
Could you please play my favorite song?
abspielen
to play / happen
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable verb
'Abspielen' (to play / happen) is a separable verb. The prefix 'ab' comes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses or in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Er spielt die Sprachnachricht noch einmal ab.
He plays the voice message again.
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning from the context: With media (song, film), it means 'wiedergeben' (to play back). As a reflexive verb ('sich abspielen'), it means 'geschehen' (to happen). In sports, with 'Ball' (ball) as the object, it means 'weitergeben' (to pass on).
EXAMPLE
Ich kann die Datei auf meinem Computer nicht abspielen.
I can't play the file on my computer.
Typical objects
In the meaning 'wiedergeben' (to play back), the typical objects are media formats such as 'ein Lied' (a song), 'eine CD' (a CD), 'ein Video' (a video), 'einen Film' (a film), or 'eine Playlist' (a playlist).
EXAMPLE
Können wir auf der Party deine Playlist abspielen?
Can we play your playlist at the party?
Reflexive verb
In the meaning 'geschehen' (to happen) or 'stattfinden' (to take place), the verb is always used reflexively: 'sich abspielen'. The subject is the event itself.
EXAMPLE
Im Stadtzentrum spielte sich eine Demonstration ab.
A demonstration took place in the city center.
Sentence structure in sports
When passing the ball to a teammate, you can express this with the dative or with 'an' + accusative.
EXAMPLE
Er spielte seinem Mitspieler den Ball zu.
He passed the ball to his teammate.
Compare with
abspielen vs passieren
to happen / pass
'passieren' and 'sich abspielen' can both mean that something happens. 'passieren' is more general and only says that an event takes place. 'sich abspielen' is more suitable when you mean a whole scene, a sequence of events, or several connected things. The place or background is often mentioned too. You can say: 'Etwas passiert' (something happens), but 'etwas spielt sich irgendwo ab' (something plays out somewhere).
abspielen
Die Szene spielte sich direkt vor dem Bahnhof ab.
The scene played out right in front of the train station.
passieren
Am Abend ist im Hausflur ein Streit passiert.
In the evening, an argument happened in the hallway.
In real life
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