In 15 Seconds
- Used for departing from a temporary stay like a hotel.
- It is a separable verb: the 'ab' moves to the end.
- Focuses on the traveler leaving, not the vehicle itself.
Meaning
It means you are officially leaving a place where you have been staying, like a hotel or a vacation spot, to head home or to your next destination.
Key Examples
3 of 6Checking out of a hotel
Wir müssen morgen um 10 Uhr abreisen.
We have to depart tomorrow at 10 AM.
Texting a friend about vacation
Ich reise leider schon heute ab.
Unfortunately, I am already departing today.
At a business meeting
Wann reisen die Geschäftspartner wieder ab?
When are the business partners departing again?
Cultural Background
The 'Abreisetag' (departure day) is often a busy day of cleaning and final checks. Germans expect clear communication about the exact time of departure. In Alpine tourism, 'abreisen' is often associated with the 'Samstagsstau' (Saturday traffic jam) as most weekly rentals end on Saturday morning. Swiss hotels are known for extreme punctuality regarding 'Abreise'. Being even 15 minutes late can sometimes result in extra charges. Among international residents, 'abreisen' is often replaced by 'auschecken' or 'leaving', but using the German word shows a higher level of integration.
The 'Sein' Rule
Always use 'sein' for the past tense. It's a movement from point A to point B.
Separable Verb
Don't forget to put 'ab' at the end of your sentence in the present tense!
In 15 Seconds
- Used for departing from a temporary stay like a hotel.
- It is a separable verb: the 'ab' moves to the end.
- Focuses on the traveler leaving, not the vehicle itself.
What It Means
Think of abreisen as the official "closing ceremony" of your stay somewhere. It is more than just walking out the door. It means you are packing your bags, settling the bill, and heading home. It implies that you were a guest or a visitor. If you’ve spent a week in a cozy mountain hut, abreisen is the word for that final goodbye to the peaks. It’s a word that carries the weight of a suitcase and the memories of a trip.
How To Use It
Grammar alert! This is a separable verb, which is a classic German quirk. The prefix ab loves to hang out at the very end of the sentence. For example, you would say, "Ich reise morgen früh ab." See how the ab jumped? However, if you use a modal verb like müssen (must) or wollen (want), the verb stays together at the end. "Ich muss leider schon heute abreisen." It’s like a puzzle piece that only moves when it’s the main star of the sentence.
When To Use It
This word is your best friend at the hotel reception. When the receptionist asks when you are leaving, you use abreisen. It’s also perfect for business contexts. If you are finishing a conference in Munich, you reisen ab to go back to your office. It’s professional but also works perfectly with friends. If you’re texting your host, "Wir reisen gegen 10 Uhr ab," they will know exactly what you mean. It sounds polished and precise.
When NOT To Use It
Be careful not to use this for everyday movements. If you are leaving a cafe after a quick espresso, abreisen is way too dramatic. It would sound like you’re starting a trek across the Sahara! Also, don't confuse it with abfahren. While they both mean "to depart," abfahren is for vehicles like trains or buses. You reist ab, but your train fährt ab. And please, don't use it to escape a boring date—unless you want to pretend you're moving to another country!
Cultural Background
Germany is a nation of planners and travelers. They even have a word for the "joy of travel"—Wanderlust. Because travel is such a huge part of the culture, the language has very specific terms for arriving and departing. Abreisen reflects this organized approach to life. Even the "Abreisetag" (day of departure) is often treated with a mix of efficiency and a little bit of "Reisefieber" (travel jitters). It’s a word that signals the transition from vacation mode back to reality.
Common Variations
You will often see the noun form die Abreise on travel documents and itineraries. If you’re lucky, you might have a verspätete Abreise (delayed departure), giving you one more hour on the beach. On the flip side, a vorzeitige Abreise means you had to leave earlier than planned—maybe because you forgot to water your plants! You might also hear abreisefertig, which means you are all packed and standing by the door with your suitcase.
Usage Notes
It is a neutral, standard verb used for travel. Remember it is separable, so the 'ab' moves to the end in simple sentences, and it always takes 'sein' in the perfect tense.
The 'Sein' Rule
Always use 'sein' for the past tense. It's a movement from point A to point B.
Separable Verb
Don't forget to put 'ab' at the end of your sentence in the present tense!
Hotel Lingo
If you want to sound like a pro, use 'die Abreise' when asking for your bill: 'Ich hätte gerne die Rechnung für meine Abreise.'
Punctuality
In Germany, 'abreisen' at 10:00 means you are out of the room by 10:00, not starting to pack at 10:00.
Examples
6Wir müssen morgen um 10 Uhr abreisen.
We have to depart tomorrow at 10 AM.
A standard way to tell hotel staff when you are leaving.
Ich reise leider schon heute ab.
Unfortunately, I am already departing today.
The 'ab' moves to the end because it is a simple sentence.
Wann reisen die Geschäftspartner wieder ab?
When are the business partners departing again?
Formal inquiry about the schedule of visitors.
Es ist traurig, heute schon abzureisen.
It is sad to be departing already today.
Using 'abzureisen' with 'zu' for emotional emphasis.
Ich reise ab, bevor das Buffet leer ist!
I'm departing before the buffet is empty!
Using the travel term for a party to sound overly dramatic.
Sollen wir am Samstag oder am Sonntag abreisen?
Should we depart on Saturday or Sunday?
Discussing the logistics of a trip together.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'abreisen' in the present tense.
Wir _______ morgen um 8 Uhr _______.
In a main clause in the present tense, the separable prefix 'ab' goes to the end.
Which auxiliary verb is correct for the past tense?
Ich _______ gestern abgereist.
Verbs of movement like 'abreisen' use 'sein' in the Perfekt tense.
Complete the dialogue.
Gast: 'Ich möchte gerne auschecken.' Rezeptionist: 'Gerne. Wann möchten Sie _______?'
After 'möchten' (a modal verb), the main verb 'abreisen' stays in the infinitive at the end.
Match the sentence to the situation.
Sentence: 'Der {der|m} Botschafter ist bereits abgereist.'
'Abreisen' is used for formal departures of people, especially in official contexts.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Abreisen vs. Abfahren
Practice Bank
4 exercisesWir _______ morgen um 8 Uhr _______.
In a main clause in the present tense, the separable prefix 'ab' goes to the end.
Ich _______ gestern abgereist.
Verbs of movement like 'abreisen' use 'sein' in the Perfekt tense.
Gast: 'Ich möchte gerne auschecken.' Rezeptionist: 'Gerne. Wann möchten Sie _______?'
After 'möchten' (a modal verb), the main verb 'abreisen' stays in the infinitive at the end.
Sentence: 'Der {der|m} Botschafter ist bereits abgereist.'
'Abreisen' is used for formal departures of people, especially in official contexts.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, for a bus you use 'abfahren'. 'Abreisen' is for the people traveling.
It is neutral to slightly formal. In casual talk, people might just say 'ich fahre morgen'.
The opposite is 'anreisen' (to arrive for a stay).
Only if you are starting a long trip or moving away permanently. For daily errands, use 'gehen' or 'losfahren'.
It is '{der|m} Abreisetag'.
No, that is a common mistake. You must say 'Ich bin abgereist'.
Yes, very often for business trips and delegations.
'Weggehen' just means to go away. 'Abreisen' specifically implies a journey and luggage.
For the flight itself, use 'abfliegen'. For you leaving the hotel to go to the airport, use 'abreisen'.
It is 'abzureisen' because it is a separable verb.
Related Phrases
die Abreise
specialized formThe departure
abfahren
similarTo drive off
verreisen
similarTo go on a trip
ankommen
contrastTo arrive
aufbrechen
similarTo set off
auschecken
synonymTo check out
