In 15 Seconds
- Used for vehicles like trains, buses, and cars departing.
- A separable verb where 'ab' moves to the sentence end.
- Can mean 'to be into someone' in casual slang contexts.
Meaning
This word is all about the moment a vehicle starts moving to leave a place. Whether it's a train, a bus, or your own car, it's the act of 'driving off' or 'departing.'
Key Examples
3 of 7At the train station
Der Zug fährt pünktlich um neun Uhr ab.
The train departs punctually at nine o'clock.
Texting a friend about a road trip
Wir fahren in zehn Minuten ab!
We are heading off in ten minutes!
Asking a bus driver
Wann fahren wir endlich ab?
When are we finally departing?
Cultural Background
The 'Abfahrt' announcement at a train station is often preceded by 'Vorsicht an der Bahnsteigkante' (Caution at the platform edge). It is a sound every German knows from childhood. In Austria, 'Die Abfahrt' is the highlight of the winter sports season. The 'Streif' in Kitzbühel is the most famous downhill (Abfahrt) track in the world. In the 90s, 'abgefahren' became a very popular word for 'cool' or 'trippy'. While slightly dated now, it is still widely understood and used to describe something mind-blowing. Swiss trains are famous for departing exactly when the second hand hits the 12. If a train is scheduled to 'abfahren' at 12:01, it will not wait until 12:01:30.
The 'Sein' Rule
Always use 'sein' for the past tense. If you say 'Ich habe abgefahren', Germans will think you were driving a route to check it, not that you left.
Not for Planes!
Never say a plane 'abfährt'. Use 'abfliegen'. It's a common A2 exam mistake.
In 15 Seconds
- Used for vehicles like trains, buses, and cars departing.
- A separable verb where 'ab' moves to the sentence end.
- Can mean 'to be into someone' in casual slang contexts.
What It Means
Abfahren is your go-to word for departures involving wheels or tracks. It describes that specific second a vehicle pulls away from the curb or station. Think of it as the 'departure' part of a journey. It’s practical, direct, and essential for travel. You’ll see it on every train station display in Germany.
How To Use It
This is a separable verb, which makes it a bit tricky. The ab part likes to jump to the very end of your sentence. For example, you don't say 'I ab-drive.' You say Ich fahre um acht Uhr ab. If you use a helping verb like muss (must), it stays together at the end. It’s like a little grammatical puzzle for your brain.
When To Use It
Use this when you are at the train station or bus stop. It’s perfect for checking schedules with a conductor. You can also use it when you're leaving a friend's house in your car. Just shout Ich fahre jetzt ab! as you put the car in gear. It’s the standard way to talk about transit timing.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use abfahren if you are walking. If you're on foot, use losgehen instead. It also doesn't work for planes; they abfliegen (off-fly). Using abfahren for a plane might make people think your Boeing has wheels like a car. Also, don't use it for leaving a job or a relationship. That requires different verbs like verlassen.
Cultural Background
Germans take their Abfahrt (departure) times very seriously. Punctuality is a point of national pride, even if the trains are late. You will often see people sprinting toward a closing train door. The phrase Der Zug ist abgefahren is a common idiom. It means you’ve missed your chance—the 'ship has sailed.' It’s a classic bit of German pragmatism.
Common Variations
There is a very cool slang version of this word. If you say Ich fahre total auf dich ab, it means you really like someone. It’s like saying you’re 'crazy' about them. It’s a fun way to turn a boring travel verb into a compliment. Just make sure you use the preposition auf for that meaning. Otherwise, you're just driving away from them!
Usage Notes
The verb is neutral and safe for all contexts. Just be careful with the slang usage `auf jemanden abfahren`, which is very informal and implies romantic interest.
The 'Sein' Rule
Always use 'sein' for the past tense. If you say 'Ich habe abgefahren', Germans will think you were driving a route to check it, not that you left.
Not for Planes!
Never say a plane 'abfährt'. Use 'abfliegen'. It's a common A2 exam mistake.
Slang Usage
Using 'abfahren auf' is a great way to sound more native and less like a textbook. Use it for hobbies!
Examples
7Der Zug fährt pünktlich um neun Uhr ab.
The train departs punctually at nine o'clock.
A classic use for public transportation schedules.
Wir fahren in zehn Minuten ab!
We are heading off in ten minutes!
Casual use for leaving in a car.
Wann fahren wir endlich ab?
When are we finally departing?
The 'endlich' adds a bit of impatience.
Bitte Vorsicht, der Zug fährt jetzt ab.
Please be careful, the train is now departing.
Standard announcement heard on platforms.
Ich fahre total auf italienisches Essen ab!
I am totally into Italian food!
Using the slang 'auf etwas abfahren' meaning to love something.
Es war schön, aber ich muss jetzt abfahren.
It was nice, but I have to drive off now.
A polite way to end a visit when you have a drive ahead.
Tut mir leid, dieser Zug ist abgefahren.
I'm sorry, that ship has sailed.
An idiomatic use of the past participle.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'abfahren' in the present tense.
Der Zug nach München _______ um 14:30 Uhr _______.
In a main clause, the separable prefix 'ab' goes to the end, and 'fahren' conjugates to 'fährt' for the third person singular (der Zug).
Choose the correct auxiliary verb for the past tense.
Wir _______ heute Morgen sehr früh abgefahren.
Movement from one place to another requires 'sein' in the Perfekt tense.
Complete the slang sentence.
Lukas: 'Magst du die Rolling Stones?' - Tim: 'Ja, ich fahre total _______ ihre Musik _______!'
The slang expression is 'auf etwas (Akkusativ) abfahren'.
Match the sentence to the context.
Sentence: 'Deine Reifen sind abgefahren.'
'Abgefahren' here means the tread is worn out.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDer Zug nach München _______ um 14:30 Uhr _______.
In a main clause, the separable prefix 'ab' goes to the end, and 'fahren' conjugates to 'fährt' for the third person singular (der Zug).
Wir _______ heute Morgen sehr früh abgefahren.
Movement from one place to another requires 'sein' in the Perfekt tense.
Lukas: 'Magst du die Rolling Stones?' - Tim: 'Ja, ich fahre total _______ ihre Musik _______!'
The slang expression is 'auf etwas (Akkusativ) abfahren'.
Sentence: 'Deine Reifen sind abgefahren.'
'Abgefahren' here means the tread is worn out.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions'Abfahren' usually implies a specific departure point or schedule (like a station). 'Losfahren' is more general about the moment you start the engine and move.
Yes, you can say 'Wir fahren mit den Fahrrädern ab', though 'losfahren' is more common for bikes.
It's a bit '90s/2000s', but still very common. It's like saying 'wicked' or 'radical'—slightly dated but everyone knows it.
Because it's a verb of motion that changes your location from A to B. These always take 'sein'.
Yes, as a verb 'von der Autobahn abfahren' means to take an exit. The exit itself is 'die Abfahrt'.
Absolutely! It means you really, really love pizza.
It means the tires are bald/worn out and no longer safe to drive.
The literal meaning is neutral. The slang meaning 'auf etwas abfahren' is informal.
You say: 'Der Zug fährt gleich ab.'
The opposite is 'ankommen' (to arrive).
Related Phrases
losfahren
similarto start driving
wegfahren
similarto drive away
ankommen
contrastto arrive
abfliegen
specialized formto take off (plane)
die Abfahrt
builds onthe departure / the exit
