German Conversation · Level 75
59 words
German word
abholen
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈapˌhoːlən/
Meaning
- verbpick up
Example
Ich hole dich heute Abend ab.
I'll pick you up this evening.
More examples
Ich hole dich am Bahnhof ab.
I'll pick you up at the station.
Core concept
A trip to a person or object waiting at another place, followed by taking it along.
Common phrases
jemanden abholen
pick somebody up
am Bahnhof abholen
pick somebody up at the station
die Kinder abholen
pick up the children
Similar words
holen: Go somewhere to get a person or object.
mitnehmen: Take a person or object along when going somewhere.
bringen: Take a person or object to a particular place.
treffen: Meet someone at a place agreed on in advance.
Definition in German
Zu dem Ort gehen oder fahren, an dem eine Person oder Sache ist, sie aufnehmen und mitnehmen.
Word origin
The verb combines the separable prefix "ab-", indicating movement away from a place, with inherited Germanic "holen", meaning to fetch or bring.
Usage tips
- In a main clause, "abholen" separates, as in "Ich hole dich ab", while the infinitive keeps the prefix attached.