abbekommen

Definition & meaning

The verb abbekommen is a separable German verb with two primary meanings:

1. To receive a share or portion: This refers to getting a part of something that is being distributed (e.g., food, money, or inheritance). It is often used to describe whether one managed to get something that others also wanted.
2. To be hit or affected by something negative: This refers to suffering the consequences of an event, such as getting hit by a stray object (like a ball), catching a disease, or being the target of someone's anger or criticism.

Grammar & Word origin

• Grammar: It is a separable verb (trennbares Verb). In a main clause, the prefix ab- moves to the end of the sentence. Example: "Ich habe den Kuchen abbekommen" (I got a piece of the cake).
• Word origin: The word is composed of the prefix ab- (meaning off or away) and the verb bekommen (to receive/get). The combination implies receiving something "away" from a larger source or total.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

• erhalten ↗ (to receive)
• abkriegen ↗ (a more colloquial synonym for both receiving a share or being hit by something)
• abbekommen (abkriegen) ↗ (used in the sense of catching an illness or being struck)
• einstecken ↗ (in the context of being hit or receiving criticism)

Antonyms:

• leer ausgehen ↗ (to come away empty-handed; to receive nothing)
• verpassen ↗ (to miss out on something)