loslösen
to detach
To physically separate or remove something that is fastened or stuck to something else.
EXAMPLE
Vorsichtig versuchte er, das alte Etikett von der Flasche loszulösen.
He carefully tried to detach the old label from the bottle.
loslösen
to detach / break away
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Meanings
sich loslösen
to break away
To distance oneself emotionally, socially, or ideologically from a person, group, or idea and become independent.
EXAMPLE
Für junge Erwachsene ist es oft ein wichtiger Schritt, sich vom Elternhaus loszulösen.
For young adults, breaking away from their parents' home is often an important step.
sich loslösen
to break away
To pull away from a group, especially in sports, and gain a lead.
EXAMPLE
Kurz vor dem Ziel konnte sich die Läuferin von der Verfolgergruppe loslösen.
Shortly before the finish, the runner was able to break away from the chasing group.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Loslösen' (to detach/break away) is a separable verb. The prefix 'los' separates from the verb stem in a main clause and goes to the end of the sentence. In the infinitive with 'zu', 'zu' goes between 'los' and 'lösen'.
EXAMPLE
Er löste den Knoten langsam los.
He slowly loosened the knot.
Important preposition
In almost all meanings, the separation is expressed with the preposition 'von' (+ dative). You detach something or yourself 'von' (from) something else.
EXAMPLE
Ich konnte den Aufkleber nicht vom Buch loslösen.
I couldn't detach the sticker from the book.
Reflexive use
Especially in the abstract meanings, the verb is used reflexively: 'sich loslösen' (to break away/detach oneself). This emphasizes that the person is actively carrying out the process of separation or independence themselves.
EXAMPLE
Es fällt ihm schwer, sich von seiner Vergangenheit loszulösen.
He finds it difficult to break away from his past.
Compare with
loslösen vs ablösen
to replace / remove
Ablösen and loslösen can both mean separating something attached to another object. Ablösen is especially appropriate for removing something from a surface to which it is stuck, while loslösen emphasizes the physical separation more generally. Use ablösen for a sticker or coating and loslösen when the separation itself is the focus.
loslösen
Sie löste den alten Aufkleber vorsichtig von der Fensterscheibe los.
She carefully detached the old sticker from the windowpane.
ablösen
Sie löste den alten Aufkleber vorsichtig von der Fensterscheibe ab.
She carefully peeled the old sticker off the windowpane.
In real life
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