German word

ablösen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈapˌløːzən/

Meaning

  • verbtake over from

Example

Der Kollege löst mich ab.

My colleague is taking over from me.

Illustration for ablösen (take over from)

More examples

Vor dem Tapezieren muss man die alte Tapete ablösen.

Before wallpapering, the old wallpaper must be stripped off.

Core concept

One person steps out of a role as the next person steps in, with the old burden released.

Common phrases

  • die Tapete ablösen

    strip off the wallpaper

  • einen Verband ablösen

    remove a bandage

  • den Kollegen ablösen

    take over from the colleague

Similar words

übernehmen: Take responsibility for work and continue it.
abwechseln: Continue an activity by taking turns with others.
vertreten: Stand in temporarily for someone in a role or task.
ersetzen: Replace a missing person or thing with another.

Definition in German

Jemanden von einer Tätigkeit entbinden und selbst die Aufgabe übernehmen.

Word origin

German ablösen combines the separable prefix ab- ('away, off') with lösen ('loosen, release'), extending release to relieving someone from a duty.

Usage tips

  • With a person as object, German uses jemanden ablösen for taking over from that person; the prefix separates in Der Kollege löst mich ab.

Other meanings

  • strip offverb
  • pay offverb

Opposites

Related words

  • ablösbarremovableadjective
  • Ablösungreplacementnoun

Word lists with this word