German word

abwarten

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈapˌvaɐ̯tən/

Meaning

  • verbwait for

Example

Ich warte die Entscheidung ab.

I am waiting for the decision.

Illustration for abwarten (wait for)

More examples

Wir sollten die Entwicklung noch abwarten.

We should wait and see how things develop a little longer.

Core concept

A person stands back and watches a result unfold before taking the next step.

Common phrases

  • erst einmal abwarten

    wait and see for now

  • die Entscheidung abwarten

    wait for the decision

  • die Entwicklung abwarten

    wait and see how things develop

Similar words

warten: Staying in place without acting while waiting for time or an event to pass.
beobachten: Observing developments carefully to detect changes in the situation.

Definition in German

Eine Situation beobachten und erst nach dem Ausgang handeln; sofortiges Eingreifen vermeiden.

Word origin

The verb combines the separable prefix ab- with warten, expressing waiting until an event has run its course before proceeding.

Usage tips

  • In a finite clause, ab- separates, as in "Ich warte die Entscheidung ab," and the awaited thing takes the accusative.

Other meanings

  • wait and seeverb
  • hold offverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Wartezeitwaiting timenoun
  • wartendwaitingadjective

Word lists with this word