ablesen
read off
Werte oder Informationen von einem Gerät, einer Anzeige oder einer Skala anschauen und daraus erkennen.
Definition & meaning
Ablesen is a separable German verb with several related meanings:
-
To read off or take a reading from something
It is used when obtaining information from a display, scale, meter, chart, or table.- die Temperatur ablesen — to read the temperature
- den Stromzähler ablesen — to read the electricity meter
- einen Wert von der Skala ablesen — to read a value from the scale
-
To read something from a written source
This can mean delivering a text while looking at it, rather than speaking from memory.- eine Rede ablesen — to read a speech from a manuscript
-
To recognize or infer something from a person or situation
In this meaning, it often describes recognizing feelings, thoughts, or intentions from someone’s face, eyes, or behavior.- Ihm war die Enttäuschung deutlich anzulesen. — His disappointment was clearly visible.
Grammar & Word origin
Ablesen consists of:
- ab- — a separable prefix meaning “off” or “from”
- lesen — “to read”
It is a separable, strong verb:
- Infinitive: ablesen
- Present tense: ich lese ab
- Simple past: ich las ab
- Past participle: abgelesen
- Auxiliary verb: haben
Example:
- Ich lese den Zähler ab. — I read the meter.
- Ich habe den Zähler abgelesen. — I read the meter.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
- ablesen — the neutral and general term for reading information from a source
- abmessen — to measure or determine a quantity; it emphasizes measurement rather than simply reading a displayed value
- entnehmen — to extract or obtain information, often from a document or table; it is more formal
- vorlesen — to read aloud to other people; unlike ablesen, it specifically emphasizes reading aloud
- erkennen — to recognize or perceive something; in the figurative meaning, it is broader than ablesen
- deuten — to interpret or infer something, often from signs or behavior
Antonyms
There is no single direct antonym for all meanings of ablesen. Depending on the context, possible contrasts include:
- schätzen — to estimate instead of obtaining an exact value by reading it
- auswendig lernen — to memorize instead of reading from a written source
- freisprechen — to speak freely without reading from notes
- übersehen — to overlook information instead of recognizing or reading it
Common phrases & collocations
- den Zähler ablesen — to read the meter
- die Uhr ablesen — to tell the time from a clock
- die Temperatur ablesen — to read the temperature
- einen Wert ablesen — to read a value
- eine Rede ablesen — to read a speech from a manuscript
- jemandem etwas an den Augen ablesen — to read something in someone’s eyes
- etwas an jemandem ablesen — to infer something from someone’s appearance or behavior
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Examples
Man kann die Informationen leicht ablesen.verb
One can easily read off the information.
Man kann das Ergebnis leicht ablesen.verb
One can easily read off the result.
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