der  Abfluss

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈapˌflʊs/

💧 What does "der Abfluss" mean?

The German word der Abfluss has several meanings:

1. Device for draining liquids: This is the most common meaning, referring to the drain or outlet in a sink (das Waschbecken), bathtub (die Badewanne), or shower (die Dusche). It's the opening through which water flows away. Example: Der Abfluss in der Küche ist verstopft. (The drain in the kitchen is blocked.)
2. The act of flowing away: The process of liquid flowing off or draining. Example: Der starke Regen behinderte den Abfluss des Wassers. (The heavy rain hindered the drainage of the water.)
3. Figurative meaning (often finance): The outflow or drainage of funds, capital, or information. Example: Der plötzliche Abfluss von Investorengeldern bereitete Sorgen. (The sudden outflow of investor funds caused concern.)

⚠️ Pay attention to the context to grasp the correct meaning.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar in Detail: Der Abfluss

The noun "Abfluss" is masculine (maskulin).

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

📝 Short Example Sentences

• Der Abfluss muss gereinigt werden.
  (The drain needs to be cleaned.)
• Das Rohr des Abflusses ist undicht.
  (The pipe of the drain is leaking.)
• Ich habe dem Abfluss ein Sieb hinzugefügt.
  (I added a strainer to the drain.)
• Kannst du bitte den Abfluss freimachen?
  (Can you please unblock the drain?)
• Die Abflüsse in diesem alten Haus sind oft problematisch.
  (The drains in this old house are often problematic.)
• Die Planung der Abflüsse war komplex.
  (The planning of the drainage systems was complex.)
• Man sollte den Abflüssen regelmäßig Aufmerksamkeit schenken.
  (One should pay regular attention to the drains.)
• Wir müssen die Abflüsse überprüfen.
  (We need to check the drains.)
• Der stetige Abfluss von Talenten schadet dem Unternehmen.
  (The constant outflow/drain of talent harms the company.)

🔧 When to use "der Abfluss"?

In Household & Crafts:

• Usually refers to the physical device (der Abfluss in the sink, der Bodenabfluss - floor drain - in the shower).
• Common problems: verstopfter Abfluss (blocked drain), stinkender Abfluss (smelly drain).
• Associated verbs: reinigen (to clean), freimachen (to unblock), installieren (to install), reparieren (to repair).

In Hydrology & Environment:

• Describes the process of water runoff (e.g., rainwater, river water).
• Example: Der Oberflächenabfluss nach starkem Regen war enorm. (The surface runoff after heavy rain was enormous.)

In Economics & Finance:

• Describes the outflow of resources (money, capital, personnel, knowledge).
• Examples: Kapitalabfluss (capital outflow), Mittelabfluss (outflow of funds), Know-how-Abfluss (brain drain/knowledge drain).
• Often has a negative connotation here.

Distinction from similar words:

• Ablauf: Can be synonymous with Abfluss (device or process), but is also used more broadly for processes or schedules (e.g., Tagesablauf - daily routine).
• Ausguss: Often synonymous with Abfluss in a household context, sometimes specifically just the opening in the basin.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Abfluss"

Remembering the article: Imagine a plumber fixing the drain. Plumber ends with -er, like 'der'. So, it's der Abfluss.

Remembering the meaning: Think of liquid flowing 'ab' (away/down) and making a 'flusshy' sound as it goes down the drain. Ab-fluss.

🔁 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words (Potential Confusion):

• Überfluss: Abundance, surplus. The opposite of lack. Unrelated to flowing away.
• Einfluss: Influence, impact. Power over someone/something.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Klempnerlehrling seinen Meister: "Meister, warum fließt das Wasser im Abfluss immer im Kreis, bevor es verschwindet?"
Meister: "Damit es sich noch von der schönen Spüle verabschieden kann!" 😉

Translation:
The plumber apprentice asks his master: "Master, why does the water in the drain always go in circles before disappearing?"
Master: "So it can say goodbye to the beautiful sink!" 😉

✒️ Poem about the Drain

Im Becken still und tief,
wartet er, wo Wasser lief.
Der Abfluss, klein und rund,
nimmt auf, was tropft zu jeder Stund'.
Mal gurgelt er ein Lied,
mal ist er still, man sieht
nur Dunkelheit ganz rein,
schluckt alles schnell hinein.

Translation:
In the basin, silent and deep,
it waits where water seeped.
The drain, small and round,
takes what drips, at every sound (hour).
Sometimes it gurgles a song,
sometimes it's quiet, all along
one sees but darkness pure,
swallows everything, swift and sure.

🕵️ A Riddle for You

Ich habe einen Mund, doch kann nicht sprechen.
Ich schlucke Wasser, ohne zu erbrechen.
Im Bad, in der Küche bin ich zu Haus,
lass Schmutz und Nässe einfach raus.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I have a mouth, but cannot speak.
I swallow water, without being sick.
In the bathroom, in the kitchen I'm at home,
I let dirt and wetness simply roam (out).

What am I? (Answer: der Abfluss / the drain)

💡 Other Information

Word Composition:

The word "Abfluss" is a compound noun, composed of:

• Prefix ab-: indicates movement away from something (e.g., abfahren - to depart, abgeben - to hand over)
• Noun Fluss: the natural or artificial flow of water or other liquids/masses (meaning 'river' or 'flow').

So, literally: the 'away-flow'.

Related Terms:

• abfließen (verb): to flow away, to drain off.
• Abflussrohr (noun, neuter: das): The pipe belonging to or leading away from the drain.
• Abwasser (noun, neuter: das): Wastewater, sewage that is disposed of through drains.