verb

abstempeln

stamp

The verb abstempeln has two primary meanings in German:

To stamp or validate: This refers to the physical act of marking a document, ticket, or letter with an official stamp to confirm its validity, date, or cancellation. For example, validating a bus ticket or stamping an outgoing letter.
To label or pigeonhole (figurative): This refers to categorizing someone or something in a simplistic or derogatory way, often without sufficient justification. It implies judging someone prematurely or unfairly, effectively "branding" them with a specific label.

Grammar: It is a separable verb (trennbare Verben). In a sentence, the prefix ab- moves to the end of the main clause. Example: "Ich stempel das Ticket ab" (I am validating the ticket).
Word origin: It is composed of the prefix ab- (meaning off or away) and the noun Stempel (stamp). Etymologically, it implies the act of putting a mark "off" onto a surface, or figuratively, "marking" someone permanently.

Synonyms:

For the physical meaning: entwerten abstempeln, stempeln abstempeln, markieren abstempeln.
For the figurative meaning: abkanzeln abstempeln, in eine Schublade stecken abstempeln, brandmarken abstempeln, einstufen abstempeln.

Antonyms:

For the figurative meaning: differenzieren abstempeln, vorurteilsfrei behandeln abstempeln.

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Du musst das Formular am Schalter abstempeln lassen.verb

You have to have the form stamped at the counter.

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