German word

ablaufen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈapˌlaʊ̯fn̩/

Meaning

  • verbexpire

Example

Die Frist läuft morgen ab.

The deadline expires tomorrow.

Illustration for ablaufen (expire)

More examples

Das Abo wird nächsten Monat ablaufen.

The subscription will expire next month.

Core concept

A stream runs onward, flows out, or reaches the end of its available course, like a validity period reaching its final date.

Common phrases

  • Vertrag ablaufen

    contract expire

  • Abo ablaufen

    subscription expire

  • Garantie ablaufen

    warranty expire

Similar words

auslaufen: End naturally when a contract or fixed period reaches its limit.
verfallen: Lose value or usability when a deadline passes, especially for rights or tickets.
erlöschen: Cease to exist or have legal effect through an official ending.
enden: Come to an end as an event or period concludes.

Definition in German

ablaufen bedeutet, dass ein Datum erreicht ist und etwas seine Gültigkeit verliert.

Word origin

German formed ablaufen from ab and laufen, with the compound retaining the basic sense of running off and developing a temporal sense for a period running to its end.

Usage tips

  • As a separable verb, ablaufen places the prefix at the end of a main clause: Die Frist läuft morgen ab, but uses the joined form abgelaufen as its participle.

Other meanings

  • proceedverb
  • flow outverb

Opposites

  • erneuernrenewverb
  • weitergeltenremain validverb

Related words

  • Ablaufdatumexpiration datenoun
  • abgelaufenexpiredadjective

Word lists with this word