der  Abschlag

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈapˌʃlaːk/

📖 What does "der Abschlag" mean?

The word der Abschlag is a masculine noun with several meanings, depending on the context:

• 💰 Finance: A Reduzierung (reduction) or Abzug (deduction) from an amount or price (e.g., a discount, Skonto) or an installment payment or advance payment (Vorauszahlung) towards a larger sum (e.g., for electricity bills, construction projects).
• 🏌️ Sports (Golf, Hockey): The first Schlag (stroke/hit) used to bring the ball into play, often from a designated starting point (the tee in golf).
• 🌳 Forestry (less common): The Fällen (felling) of trees.
• 📉 General: A decrease or reduction (Minderung).

⚠️ It's important to understand the context to grasp the correct meaning.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Abschlag

The noun "Abschlag" is masculine. Its article is der.

Example Sentences

1. (Finance - Deduction) Wir gewähren Ihnen einen Abschlag von 5% bei sofortiger Zahlung.
   (We grant you a deduction of 5% for immediate payment.)
2. (Finance - Advance Payment) Der monatliche Abschlag für Strom wird vom Konto abgebucht.
   (The monthly advance payment for electricity is debited from the account.)
3. (Sport - Golf) Sein erster Abschlag landete direkt auf dem Fairway.
   (His first tee shot landed right on the fairway.)
4. (General) Nach dem Unfall musste er finanzielle Abschläge hinnehmen.
   (After the accident, he had to accept financial reductions.)

💡 Usage Notes for "Abschlag"

The use of "Abschlag" strongly depends on the context:

• In finance and accounting, "Abschlag" is very common for price reductions (Nachlässe) or advance payments (Vorauszahlungen) (e.g., Abschlag auf den Kaufpreis - 'deduction from the purchase price', monatlicher Abschlag - 'monthly advance payment' for utilities). It's important here to distinguish between a deduction (price is reduced) and an installment/advance payment (amount is paid beforehand).
• In sports, especially golf, "Abschlag" refers to the tee shot or opening stroke. You might hear erster Abschlag ('first tee shot') or weiter Abschlag ('long drive').
• The meaning 'felling of trees' is less common today and more technical (forestry jargon).

Comparison with similar words:

• Rabatt: Similar to Abschlag (in the sense of a discount), but often used more generally for price reductions.
• Skonto: A specific Abschlag given for prompt payment.
• Anzahlung: A down payment, usually a larger initial sum than a regular Abschlag.
• Vorauszahlung: Similar to Abschlag (in the sense of an advance payment), often a broader term.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Abschlag"

For the article (der): Think of der golfer who schlägt (hits) the ball ab (off). Or think of der amount from which something is abgeschlagen (deducted).

For the meanings: Imagine you schlag (hit/knock) something ab (off):
a) Knock off part of the price (financial deduction)
b) Hit off the ball from the starting point (sports tee-off)
c) Knock off a branch from a tree (forestry - rare)

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Potential for Confusion: Do not confuse with "Aufschlag" (often the opposite in finance, or a serve in tennis/volleyball) or "Anschlag" (attack, notice/poster).

😄 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Golfer immer zwei Hosen mit zum Turnier?

Falls sie beim ersten Abschlag ein Loch in einer haben!

(Why do golfers always bring two pairs of pants to the tournament?)

(In case they get a hole-in-one on the first tee shot!) 😄

📜 Poem about Abschlag

Der Abschlag, mal groß, mal klein,
Kann ein Rabatt beim Kaufen sein.
Beim Strom zahlt man ihn Monat für Monat,
Als Vorschuss, der sich später lohnt.

Beim Golf, da fliegt der Ball so weit,
Der erste Schlag zur Spielzeit.
Ein Wort, vielseitig und gewandt,
Mal Abzug, mal im Sport bekannt.

(Translation):

The Abschlag, sometimes big, sometimes small,
Can be a discount when buying, for all.
For power, you pay it month by month you see,
As an advance, paying dividends eventually.

In golf, the ball flies far and high,
The first stroke when it's time to try.
A word, versatile and deftly planned,
Sometimes deduction, sometimes sport's command.

🧩 Riddle

Ich kann Geld von der Rechnung nehmen,
oder dich auf dem Grün willkommen heißen.
Man zahlt mich manchmal im Voraus,
manchmal schlägt man mich kraftvoll hinaus.

Was bin ich?

(Translation):

I can take money off the bill,
Or welcome you on the green with skill.
Sometimes you pay me in advance,
Sometimes you hit me out with force, perchance.

What am I?

Solution: der Abschlag

💡 Other Information

Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung):

The word "Abschlag" is composed of the prefix "ab-" (off, down, decreasing) and the verb stem "schlag" (from "schlagen" - to hit, strike, beat). The basic meaning is therefore "hitting off" or "striking down", which is reflected in the various meanings (knocking something off the price, hitting the ball off).