to vote out / deselect
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to vote out
To vote against an officeholder or a party in an election so that this person or party loses their office or mandate.
Die Regierung wurde nach nur einer Legislaturperiode wieder abgewählt.
The government was voted out again after just one legislative term.
to deselect
To undo or cancel a previously made selection, for example a course, a function, or an option in a menu.
Wenn dir der Kurs nicht gefällt, kannst du ihn im ersten Monat noch abwählen.
If you don't like the course, you can still deselect it in the first month.
'Abwählen' (to vote out / deselect) is a separable verb. The prefix 'ab' comes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Viele Wähler wollen den aktuellen Bürgermeister abwählen.
Many voters want to vote out the current mayor.
The verb consists of the prefix 'ab' and the verb 'wählen' (to choose/vote). The prefix 'ab' here expresses removal or cancellation. So you undo a selection or vote someone out of a position.
Die Mitgliederversammlung hat den alten Vorstand abgewählt.
The members' meeting voted out the old board.
The context makes the meaning clear: if it is about politics and elections, 'abwählen' means to remove someone from office. If it is about courses, options, or settings, it means to cancel a selection.
Die Opposition hofft, den Kanzler bei der nächsten Wahl abzuwählen.
The opposition hopes to vote out the chancellor in the next election.
to set down / sell / discontinue
Both verbs can mean that someone loses their office. With Abwählen, this happens through an election and the votes of eligible voters. With Absetzen, a responsible or powerful authority removes the person from office.
Die Mitglieder wählten den Vorsitzenden bei der nächsten Versammlung ab.
The members voted the chairperson out at the next meeting.
Der Vorstand setzte den Vorsitzenden nach dem schweren Fehler ab.
The board removed the chairperson from office after the serious mistake.
