German word

ablegen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈapˌleːgn̩/

Meaning

  • verbtake off

Example

Er legt den Mantel ab.

He is taking off his coat.

Illustration for ablegen (take off)

More examples

Sie legt die Schuhe ab, bevor sie die Wohnung betritt.

She takes off her shoes before entering the apartment.

Core concept

A person removes a coat and sets it aside, extending to putting things away and formally completing an exam.

Common phrases

  • die Schuhe ablegen

    take off the shoes

  • den Mantel ablegen

    take off the coat

  • den Hut ablegen

    take off the hat

Similar words

ausziehen: To take clothing off the body.
anziehen: To put clothing on the body.
abnehmen: To remove a hat or glasses from the head or face.
entkleiden: To take off clothing until nearly naked.

Definition in German

Etwas (vor allem Kleidungsstücke) vom Körper entfernen und an einem Ort ablegen; daneben für aufbewahren oder eine Prüfung ablegen gebraucht.

Word origin

German ablegen combines separable ab- meaning 'away' with legen meaning 'to lay or put', giving the basic sense of setting something aside.

Usage tips

  • In a main-clause present-tense sentence, ab separates from legen, as in 'Er legt den Mantel ab.'

Other meanings

  • put downverb
  • takeverb
  • storeverb

Opposites

Related words

  • abgelegttaken offadjective
  • Ablagestorage areanoun

Word lists with this word