absterben
to die off
The process of life functions gradually stopping, especially in plants or body parts (tissue).
EXAMPLE
Wegen der Trockenheit sterben viele Bäume im Wald ab.
Because of the drought, many trees in the forest are dying off.
absterben
to die off / go numb
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Meanings
absterben
to go numb
Colloquial for the feeling when a body part becomes numb or 'falls asleep'.
EXAMPLE
Nach langem Sitzen ist mir das Bein komplett abgestorben.
After sitting for a long time, my leg had gone completely numb.
absterben
to fade away
Figuratively, the gradual disappearance of feelings or interests.
EXAMPLE
Mit der Zeit war seine anfängliche Begeisterung für das Projekt abgestorben.
Over time, his initial enthusiasm for the project had faded away.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Absterben' (to die off / go numb) is a separable verb with the prefix 'ab-'. In a main clause, the prefix stands at the end, while in a subordinate clause it remains attached to the verb.
EXAMPLE
Wegen der Kälte sterben die Blätter an der Pflanze ab.
Because of the cold, the leaves on the plant are dying off.
Perfect with 'sein'
The perfect tense of 'absterben' (to die off / go numb) is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be), because it describes a change of state. So it is 'ist abgestorben' (has died off / has gone numb).
EXAMPLE
Der alte Apfelbaum in unserem Garten ist leider letztes Jahr abgestorben.
The old apple tree in our garden unfortunately died off last year.
Context clue
The exact meaning depends on the subject. With plants, it is meant literally; with body parts, it is colloquial for 'einschlafen' (to fall asleep / go numb), and with feelings it means 'verschwinden' (to disappear).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem langen Flug waren mir beide Beine abgestorben.
After the long flight, both my legs had gone numb.
Colloquial usage
When a body part 'abstirbt' (goes numb), this is a colloquial description of the feeling when it becomes numb or 'einschläft' (falls asleep / goes numb). This usage is typical of everyday speech.
EXAMPLE
Ich kann nicht aufstehen, mein Fuß ist mir abgestorben.
I can't get up; my foot has gone numb.
Compare with
absterben vs eingehen
to die / shrink / respond
When referring to a plant, Eingehen usually means the general death of the entire organism, often because of poor conditions. Absterben, on the other hand, emphasizes the gradual loss of vital functions and can also refer to individual parts of a plant. „eingehen“ is therefore often used for the whole plant, while „absterben“ describes the ongoing process.
absterben
Bei starkem Frost können einzelne Triebe der Rose langsam absterben.
In severe frost, individual shoots of the rose may slowly die off.
eingehen
Ohne genügend Wasser wird die ganze Rose eingehen.
Without enough water, the whole rose will die.
In real life
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