abschlagen
refuse
Definition & meaning
Abschlagen is a separable, strong German verb with several related meanings:
-
To strike or knock something off / break something off
- It can mean removing something by hitting it.
- einen Ast abschlagen — to knock off or cut off a branch
- jemandem den Kopf abschlagen — to behead someone
- eine Tür abschlagen — to knock down or remove a door
-
To refuse or reject a request
- jemandem eine Bitte abschlagen — to refuse someone’s request
- einen Vorschlag abschlagen — to reject a proposal
This usage often implies refusing something that someone has asked for.
-
To hit or strike
- mit dem Schläger den Ball abschlagen — to hit the ball with a racket or club
In sports, especially golf and tennis, abschlagen can mean to serve or tee off: - Der Spieler schlägt ab. — The player serves / tees off.
- mit dem Schläger den Ball abschlagen — to hit the ball with a racket or club
-
To reduce or knock off a price
- Kann man beim Preis noch etwas abschlagen? — Can the price be reduced any further? This meaning is common in bargaining and means to lower the price.
Grammar & Word origin
- Infinitive: abschlagen
- Present tense: er schlägt ab
- Simple past: er schlug ab
- Past participle: abgeschlagen
- Auxiliary verb: haben
- Type: separable, strong verb
The verb consists of:
- ab- — off, away, down
- schlagen — to hit, strike, or beat
The basic idea is therefore “to strike something off” or “to strike away.” The different meanings developed from this physical sense.
In the request-related meaning, the construction is usually:
- jemandem etwas abschlagen — to refuse someone something
The person is in the dative case, while the refused thing is in the accusative case.
Synonyms & antonyms
For “to refuse or reject”
- ablehnen — to reject or decline; more neutral and general than abschlagen
- verweigern — to refuse or withhold something, often more firmly
- zurückweisen — to reject or turn down, often in a more formal or direct way
Antonyms:
- gewähren — to grant or allow something
- erfüllen — to fulfill a request or wish
- annehmen — to accept, especially an offer or proposal
For “to knock or strike off”
- abtrennen — to separate or detach; more neutral and less focused on hitting
- abbrechen — to break off; emphasizes breaking rather than striking
- zertrümmern — to smash into pieces; much stronger than abschlagen
Possible antonyms:
For “to reduce a price”
- reduzieren — to reduce; neutral and often used in commercial contexts
- senken — to lower, especially a price or amount
An antonym is:
Common phrases & collocations
- jemandem eine Bitte abschlagen — to refuse someone’s request
- jemandem einen Wunsch abschlagen — to deny someone’s wish
- einen Antrag abschlagen — to reject an application or request
- einen Ast abschlagen — to knock off a branch
- einen Ball abschlagen — to hit or serve a ball
- beim Preis etwas abschlagen — to reduce the price during bargaining
- abgeschlagen sein — to be exhausted or worn out; this is a related adjective use of the past participle.
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Examples
Ich konnte ihr diesen Wunsch nicht abschlagen.verb
I couldn't refuse her this wish.
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