01
abwerfen
to yield
To produce a profit, return, or result.
example
Die Solaranlage auf dem Dach wirft genug Strom für die ganze Familie ab.
The solar system on the roof yields enough electricity for the whole family.
abwerfen
to yield / to drop / to shed
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable verb
'Abwerfen' (to yield / to drop / to shed) is a separable verb. The prefix 'ab-' often means 'downward' or 'away from oneself' here and comes at the end in a main clause.
EXAMPLE
Im Herbst werfen die Bäume ihre Blätter ab.
In autumn, the trees shed their leaves.
Context clue
The subject of the sentence is a strong clue to the meaning: an investment yields profit, a tree sheds leaves, an airplane drops packages, and a horse throws off a rider.
EXAMPLE
Die neue Geschäftsidee warf schnell einen hohen Gewinn ab.
The new business idea quickly yielded a high profit.
Typical collocations
In a financial or economic context, 'abwerfen' is often combined with words such as 'Gewinn' (profit), 'Profit' (profit), 'Ertrag' (return), or 'Zinsen' (interest).
EXAMPLE
Seine Aktien warfen dieses Jahr eine gute Rendite ab.
His stocks yielded a good return this year.
Typical collocations
When something is dropped from the air, the objects are often 'Bomben' (bombs), 'Hilfsgüter' (relief supplies), 'Flugblätter' (leaflets), or 'Ballast' (ballast).
EXAMPLE
Über dem Krisengebiet warfen die Helikopter Lebensmittel ab.
The helicopters dropped food over the crisis area.
Biological context
In nature, trees shed 'Laub' (foliage) or 'Blätter' (leaves), deer shed their 'Geweih' (antlers), and snakes shed their 'Haut' (skin). It describes a natural process of losing something.
EXAMPLE
Die Schlange hat gerade ihre alte Haut abgeworfen.
The snake has just shed its old skin.
Compare with
abwerfen vs verlieren
to lose
'verlieren' and 'abwerfen' can both mean that something is no longer on a person, animal, or plant. 'verlieren' is general: afterward, you no longer have something. 'abwerfen' is more specific and often describes a natural process, for example when a tree sheds leaves or an animal sheds its antlers. Learners may confuse the words because the result is similar. The difference lies in the perspective: 'verlieren' emphasizes the loss, while 'abwerfen' emphasizes the active or natural process of getting rid of something.
abwerfen
Viele Bäume werfen bei trockenem Wetter früher ihre Blätter ab.
Many trees shed their leaves earlier in dry weather.
verlieren
Im Herbst verlieren die Bäume ihre Blätter.
In autumn, the trees lose their leaves.
In real life
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