German Conversation · Level 158
30 words
German word
abschrecken
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈapˌʃʁɛkən/
Meaning
- verbdeter
Example
Strafen schrecken viele Leute ab.
Punishments deter many people.
More examples
Hohe Preise schrecken Kunden ab.
High prices deter customers.
Core concept
A looming threat makes a person turn away from an intended action.
Common phrases
Kunden abschrecken
deter customers
von einer Idee abschrecken
dissuade ___ from an idea
Wähler abschrecken
deter voters
Similar words
abhalten: To keep someone from acting through a physical barrier or difficult circumstances.
verhindern: To prevent an action from taking place.
abraten: To persuade someone not to act by advising against it.
entmutigen: To reduce someone's confidence or motivation to act.
Definition in German
Jemanden davon abbringen, eine Handlung zu tun, indem man Furcht oder Hindernisse erzeugt.
Word origin
The separable verb combines ab- ('away') with schrecken ('frighten'), yielding the idea of frightening someone away.
Usage tips
- 'Abschrecken' takes an accusative person and commonly uses von plus the dative for the thing avoided.