absprechen
coordinate
Mit einer anderen Person gemeinsam etwas planen oder vereinbaren.
Definition & meaning
absprechen is a separable German verb with two main meanings:
-
To arrange, coordinate, or agree on something
- sich mit jemandem absprechen means “to coordinate with someone” or “to consult with someone.”
- etwas absprechen means “to agree on” or “to arrange something together.”
- Example: Wir sprechen den Termin ab. — “We agree on the date.”
-
To deny someone or something
- jemandem etwas absprechen means “to deny someone something” or “to say that someone does not possess a particular quality, ability, or right.”
- Example: Niemand kann ihr ihre Kompetenz absprechen. — “Nobody can deny her competence.”
- It can also mean to dispute or reject the validity of something: Er spricht dem Bericht jede Glaubwürdigkeit ab. — “He denies the report any credibility.”
The meaning depends strongly on the construction:
- sich absprechen = coordinate, consult
- etwas absprechen = arrange or agree on something
- jemandem etwas absprechen = deny someone something
Grammar & Word origin
absprechen is a separable, irregular verb.
- Infinitive: absprechen
- Present tense: er spricht ab
- Simple past: er sprach ab
- Past participle: abgesprochen
- Auxiliary verb: haben
Examples:
- Wir sprechen uns später ab. — “We will coordinate later.”
- Sie haben alles abgesprochen. — “They arranged everything.”
- Er hat ihr das Recht abgesprochen. — “He denied her the right.”
The word consists of:
The literal idea is “to speak something out between people” or “to speak something away,” depending on the meaning.
Synonyms & antonyms
Meaning: to coordinate or arrange
Synonyms include:
- sich verständigen — to reach an understanding; emphasizes mutual agreement
- vereinbaren — to agree on or arrange something; often more formal and definite
- abstimmen — to coordinate or harmonize plans; frequently used for schedules, procedures, or teamwork
- besprechen — to discuss something; does not necessarily imply that an agreement is reached
Possible contextual antonyms include:
- improvisieren — to improvise instead of coordinating in advance
- sich uneinig sein — to disagree or not be in agreement
Meaning: to deny or dispute
Synonyms include:
- bestreiten — to dispute or deny that something is true
- abstreiten — to deny an accusation or claim, often explicitly
- aberkennen — to withdraw or deny a right, status, or quality
- verweigern — to refuse or withhold something, focusing more on refusal than on denying its existence
Antonyms include:
- zugestehen — to concede or grant something
- anerkennen — to recognize or acknowledge a quality, right, or achievement
- einräumen — to admit or concede that something is true
Common phrases & collocations
- sich mit jemandem absprechen — to coordinate with someone
- etwas miteinander absprechen — to arrange something together
- einen Termin absprechen — to agree on an appointment or date
- das Vorgehen absprechen — to coordinate the procedure or approach
- jemandem die Fähigkeit absprechen — to deny someone’s ability
- jemandem das Recht absprechen — to deny someone the right
- jemandem Glaubwürdigkeit absprechen — to deny someone or something credibility
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Examples
Sie sollten das untereinander absprechen.verb
They should coordinate that among themselves.
Ihr könnt den Termin miteinander absprechen.verb
You can coordinate the appointment with each other.
Ihr solltet das Treffen gut absprechen.verb
You should coordinate the meeting well.
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