German word

abschreiben

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈapʃʁaɪ̯bən/

Meaning

  • verbcopy

Example

Ich schreibe die Notizen ab.

I am copying the notes.

Illustration for abschreiben (copy)

More examples

Bei der Prüfung hat er die Antworten abgeschrieben.

During the exam, he copied the answers.

Core concept

A hand transfers another person's words from a source onto its own page, either as legitimate copying or as unauthorized work.

Common phrases

  • die Hausaufgaben abschreiben

    copy someone else's homework

  • bei der Prüfung abschreiben

    cheat during an exam

Similar words

kopieren: To make an exact copy of a document or file's contents.
abgucken: To copy answers or notes secretly from another person's work.
mitschreiben: To take notes while listening to a lesson or conversation.
transkribieren: To write out spoken words from audio or a recording.

Definition in German

Von einer Vorlage oder den Notizen einer anderen Person abschreiben, dabei wörtlich übernehmen oder unerlaubt kopieren

Word origin

Abschreiben combines the separable prefix ab-, indicating movement away or off, with schreiben, so it developed as writing off or from a source.

Usage tips

  • Abschreiben is separable in main clauses, as in "Ich schreibe die Notizen ab", while the past participle is "abgeschrieben".

Other meanings

  • cheatverb
  • plagiarizeverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Abschreiberperson who cheatsnoun
  • Abschrifttranscriptnoun

Word lists with this word