In 15 Seconds
- Means to leave quickly or suddenly.
- Used casually with friends or family.
- Can be a rude command: 'Get lost!'
Meaning
To leave a place quickly or suddenly, often because you're bored, in a hurry, or want to escape a situation. It's the German equivalent of 'taking off' or 'bolting'.
Key Examples
3 of 6Leaving a boring party
Die Party ist echt öde, ich haue jetzt ab.
The party is really dull, I'm taking off now.
Texting a friend after leaving
Sorry, ich bin schon abgehauen, wir sehen uns morgen!
Sorry, I already took off, see you tomorrow!
Ending a workday with colleagues
Es ist 17 Uhr, ich haue dann mal ab. Schönen Feierabend!
It's 5 PM, I'm heading out. Have a nice evening!
Cultural Background
Among teenagers, 'abhauen' is often used to describe 'skipping' school (Schwänzen) or leaving a social gathering that isn't 'cool' enough. It's a key part of the 'cool' vernacular. In Berlin, people are known for being direct and sometimes 'pampig' (curt). You might hear 'Hau ab!' more frequently there, often used with a rough but not always hateful tone. The term 'Rübermachen' or 'Abhauen' was used for people fleeing East Germany. It carried a heavy emotional and legal weight that still resonates with older generations. In Bavaria, you might hear 'Schleich di!' as a regional equivalent to 'Hau ab!'. It literally means 'sneak yourself away' but is used just as harshly.
The 'Sein' Rule
Always use 'sein' for the past tense. If you say 'Ich habe abgehauen', Germans will think you chopped something off with an axe!
Aggression Level
'Hau ab!' is much stronger than 'Go away'. Only use it if you are prepared for a potential confrontation.
In 15 Seconds
- Means to leave quickly or suddenly.
- Used casually with friends or family.
- Can be a rude command: 'Get lost!'
What It Means
Abhauen is your go-to word for making a quick exit. It means to leave a place suddenly or even secretly. Think of it as "bolting" or "taking off" in English. You aren't just walking away; you are making a move. It captures that feeling of needing to be elsewhere fast. Maybe the party is boring. Maybe you are late. Either way, you are out of there in a flash. It is active, energetic, and very common.
How To Use It
This is a separable verb, so it splits in two. In a sentence, the ab travels to the very end. You would say, Ich haue jetzt mal ab. If you did it yesterday, use the verb sein. "I took off" becomes Ich bin gestern abgehauen. It sounds very natural and fluid in spoken German. Just remember to keep the ab at the finish line. It acts like a little anchor for your sentence. It is easy to conjugate and very fun to say.
When To Use It
Use it when you are with your close friends. It is perfect for leaving a bar or a cafe. You can also use it when you finish work. "I'm heading out now" feels right with abhauen. It works well when you want to avoid someone. If you see your ex, you might abhauen quickly. It is great for texting when you've already left. "Sorry, I already took off!" is a classic use. It fits any casual, everyday escape.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this word in very formal or serious settings. Don't tell your CEO you are abhauen after a meeting. It sounds a bit too casual or even slightly rebellious. Never use it as a command unless you are angry. Hau ab! literally means "Get lost!" or "Go away!" It can be quite hurtful if you say it wrongly. Stick to gehen or verabschieden in polite company. Keep it for people who know your sense of humor.
Cultural Background
The word hauen actually means to hit or chop. Imagine chopping a piece of wood off a block. That is where the "off" part comes from originally. It implies a clean, sharp break from a location. Germans love words that describe physical actions for abstract ideas. It has been popular in youth culture for decades. Now, even grandmas might use it when leaving a family dinner. It shows how slang can become a daily staple.
Common Variations
You will often hear people say Hau rein!. That sounds similar but actually means "Dig in!" or "Take care!". Don't confuse the two, or you might look silly. Another variation is sich aus dem Staub machen. That means "to make oneself out of the dust." It is a more idiomatic way to say you escaped. Abhauen remains the most common and versatile choice. It is short, punchy, and everyone understands it instantly.
Usage Notes
Abhauen is a separable verb used in informal registers. Its meaning shifts from a neutral 'leaving' to a rude 'get lost' depending on whether it is a statement or a command.
The 'Sein' Rule
Always use 'sein' for the past tense. If you say 'Ich habe abgehauen', Germans will think you chopped something off with an axe!
Aggression Level
'Hau ab!' is much stronger than 'Go away'. Only use it if you are prepared for a potential confrontation.
The 'Polite' Exit
If you want to leave a party politely but still use the word, say: 'Ich werde mich langsam mal abhauen.' The 'mal' softens the blow.
Separable Verb
Remember that in a normal sentence, the 'ab' goes to the very end: 'Ich haue morgen um 8 Uhr mit meinem Bruder ab.'
Examples
6Die Party ist echt öde, ich haue jetzt ab.
The party is really dull, I'm taking off now.
A very common way to announce a casual departure.
Sorry, ich bin schon abgehauen, wir sehen uns morgen!
Sorry, I already took off, see you tomorrow!
Uses the past tense with 'sein'.
Es ist 17 Uhr, ich haue dann mal ab. Schönen Feierabend!
It's 5 PM, I'm heading out. Have a nice evening!
Common in relaxed office environments.
Hau bloß ab und lass mich in Ruhe!
Just get lost and leave me alone!
The command form is very aggressive.
Bevor ich den Abwasch machen muss, haue ich lieber ab.
Before I have to do the dishes, I'd rather bolt.
Used to jokingly avoid a task.
Er ist mit 16 von zu Hause abgehauen.
He ran away from home when he was 16.
In this context, it means running away permanently or for a long time.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'abhauen' in the perfect tense.
Gestern ist mein Hund im Park ________.
The perfect tense of 'abhauen' is 'ist abgehauen'.
Which sentence is a polite way to leave a business meeting?
Wie sagt man es höflich?
'Abhauen' is too informal for a business context.
Complete the dialogue between two friends at a boring concert.
A: Die Band ist echt schlecht. B: Stimmt. Wollen wir ________?
After 'wollen wir', you need the infinitive form.
Match the phrase to the situation.
1. 'Hau ab!' 2. 'Ich haue jetzt ab.' 3. 'Er ist abgehauen.'
'Hau ab' is a command, 'haue ab' is present tense, 'ist abgehauen' is past tense.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Ways to Leave
Practice Bank
4 exercisesGestern ist mein Hund im Park ________.
The perfect tense of 'abhauen' is 'ist abgehauen'.
Wie sagt man es höflich?
'Abhauen' is too informal for a business context.
A: Die Band ist echt schlecht. B: Stimmt. Wollen wir ________?
After 'wollen wir', you need the infinitive form.
1. 'Hau ab!' 2. 'Ich haue jetzt ab.' 3. 'Er ist abgehauen.'
'Hau ab' is a command, 'haue ab' is present tense, 'ist abgehauen' is past tense.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsIt depends. Telling someone else to 'abhauen' is rude. Saying that you yourself are 'abhauen' is just informal and fine among friends.
Generally, no. It sounds like you are escaping your duties. Use 'gehen' or 'Feierabend machen' instead.
'Weggehen' is neutral and just means to go away. 'Abhauen' implies speed, suddenness, or a desire to leave a bad situation.
Yes, when it means 'to leave'. If you are literally chopping a branch off a tree, you use 'haben', but that is rare in daily conversation.
No, but you can nominalize it: '{das|n} Abhauen'. For example: 'Sein plötzliches Abhauen hat uns überrascht.'
No, 'abhauen' is not reflexive. Just 'Ich haue ab'.
'Verduften' is a great alternative that sounds more charming and less aggressive.
Use 'Er ist von zu Hause abgehauen.'
Only in journalism or literature to describe an escape. Never in a business letter.
The 'bloß' adds emphasis, making it even more dismissive, like 'Just get the heck out of here!'
Yes, it's the standard word for a dog or cat escaping.
Yes, the Präteritum is 'haute ab', but it's rarely used in speech. Use the Perfekt 'ist abgehauen'.
Related Phrases
verduften
synonymTo leave quietly or 'evaporate'.
sich verdrücken
similarTo sneak away to avoid something.
türmen
specialized formTo escape or bolt.
abzischen
similarTo whiz off.
Leine ziehen
synonymTo pull the leash (to leave).
