die  Abnahme

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈapˌnaːmə/

📖 What does "die Abnahme" mean?

The word die Abnahme is a feminine noun in German and has several meanings, which often depend on the context:

• 📉 Decrease or Reduction: Refers to the decline in quantities, values, or intensities. Example: Die Abnahme der Verkaufszahlen (The decrease in sales figures).
• ✅ Acceptance or Approval: The formal acceptance or approval of a service, product, or building after inspection. Example: Die Abnahme des neuen Hauses durch den Bauherrn (The acceptance of the new house by the owner).
• 🔍 Inspection or Check: The process of checking or verifying, often technically or formally. Example: Die technische Abnahme einer Anlage (The technical inspection/acceptance of a facility).
• 🛒 Purchase or Taking Delivery: The act of buying or taking delivery of goods, often in larger quantities. Example: Die Abnahme einer großen Lieferung (Taking delivery of a large shipment).
• 🏃‍♀️ Weight Loss: The loss of body weight. Example: Seine erfolgreiche Abnahme motivierte ihn (His successful weight loss motivated him).
• 🩸 Taking (of samples, oaths): The act of taking something, e.g., blood or an oath. Example: Die Abnahme von Blut für eine Untersuchung (Taking a blood sample for testing). Die Abnahme eines Eides (The administration/taking of an oath).

⚠️ Pay attention to the context to understand the correct meaning!

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "die Abnahme" in Detail

"Abnahme" is a feminine noun. The article is "die". The plural is "die Abnahmen".

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

💡 Example Sentences

1. Die stetige Abnahme des Interesses war besorgniserregend. (The constant decrease in interest was worrying.) - Meaning: Reduction
2. Nach erfolgreicher Prüfung erfolgte die Abnahme des Bauwerks. (After successful inspection, the acceptance of the building took place.) - Meaning: Acceptance
3. Die TÜV-Abnahme ist für nächste Woche geplant. (The TÜV inspection/acceptance is planned for next week.) - Meaning: Inspection
4. Der Händler garantierte die Abnahme der gesamten Ernte. (The dealer guaranteed the purchase of the entire harvest.) - Meaning: Purchase
5. Ihre Abnahme von zehn Kilo war ein großer Erfolg. (Her weight loss of ten kilos was a great success.) - Meaning: Weight loss
6. Die Abnahme des Eides fand im Gerichtssaal statt. (The administration/taking of the oath took place in the courtroom.) - Meaning: Taking (oath)

🗣️ How to Use "Abnahme"?

The usage of die Abnahme strongly depends on its specific meaning:

• Decrease: Often used in economic or statistical contexts (Abnahme der Nachfrage - decrease in demand, Abnahme der Temperatur - decrease in temperature).
• Acceptance/Inspection: Common in construction (Bauabnahme), for technical equipment, or upon delivery of goods (Warenabnahme, Endabnahme, TÜV-Abnahme). It refers to a formal confirmation that something meets the requirements.
• Purchase: Mostly in trade, regarding the obligation to buy a certain quantity (Abnahmeverpflichtung - purchase commitment).
• Weight loss: In the context of health and fitness.
• Taking (sample/oath): In medical contexts (Blutabnahme - taking a blood sample) or formal acts (Eidesabnahme - administering an oath).

Compared to 'Annahme' (which can mean acceptance but also assumption), 'Abnahme' often emphasizes the aspect of inspection or the conclusion of a process. 'Rückgang' or 'Reduzierung' are more specific terms for the meaning of decrease.

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Abnahme"

Article Mnemonic: Many German nouns ending in "-nahme" are feminine: die Ausnahme (exception), die Annahme (acceptance), die Einnahme (income/taking), die Zunahme (increase)... and also die Abnahme. Think of die Prüfung (the inspection) or die Kontrolle (the control), which are often part of an 'Abnahme'.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine you 'take' (nehmen) something 'off' or 'away' (ab): You take weight ab (weight loss), you take the builder's worries ab by inspecting and accepting the house (acceptance/inspection), or the quantity takes ab (decrease).

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but different words:

• Annahme: Can also mean acceptance, but often means assumption or hypothesis.
• Aufnahme: Refers more to starting something, integrating, or recording (e.g., Tonaufnahme - sound recording, Aufnahme in einen Verein - admission to a club).

😂 A Little Joke

(DE) Fragt der Bauherr den Prüfer bei der Abnahme: "Ist alles in Ordnung?" Sagt der Prüfer: "Naja, die Wände sind etwas dünn." Bauherr: "Kein Problem, wir streichen sie einfach dicker!"

(EN) The client asks the inspector during the acceptance inspection: "Is everything okay?" The inspector says: "Well, the walls are a bit thin." Client: "No problem, we'll just paint them thicker!"

✍️ Poem about Abnahme

(DE)
Die Zahlen sinken, welch ein Graus,
die Abnahme im ganzen Haus.
Doch auch am Bau, da ist sie Pflicht,
bevor man "Fertig!" spricht.
Der Prüfer kommt, schaut ganz genau,
erst dann Applaus für den Neubau.
Mal sinkt der Preis, mal purzelt Pfund,
die Abnahme macht die Runde bunt.

(EN)
The numbers drop, oh what a dread,
die Abnahme widely spread.
But on the site, it is a must,
Before declaring "Finished!" in trust.
The inspector comes, looks closely now,
Only then applause for the new vow (building).
Sometimes price drops, sometimes pounds shed,
die Abnahme makes life varied instead.

❓ Little Riddle

(DE)
Ich kann ein Sinken sein, ganz sacht,
Hab' aber auch bei Prüfung Macht.
Ich nehm' dir Kilos, wenn du's willst,
Und billige Verträge, wenn du stillst
den Wunsch des Käufers nach der Ware.
Was bin ich, sag es, ohne Frage!

(EN)
I can be a decrease, gentle and slight,
But also hold power in inspection's light.
I take off kilos, if that's your aim,
And approve contracts, playing the game
Of fulfilling the buyer's wish for the goods.
What am I? Tell me, no if's, and's, or buts!

Solution: die Abnahme

🧩 Other Information

Word Composition:

The word "Abnahme" is composed of the prefix "ab-" (off, down, decreasing) and the noun "Nahme" (derived from the verb "nehmen" - to take). The basic meaning of "nehmen" (to take something, seize) is modified by "ab-", which explains the various meanings such as taking away (weight loss), taking over/receiving (purchase), inspection (as an act of accepting after checking), or decrease.

Related Words:

• abnehmen (verb): the action leading to Abnahme (to lose weight, to inspect and accept, to decrease, to buy).
• abnehmbar (adjective): removable or reducible.
• Compounds: Bauabnahme (construction acceptance), Endabnahme (final acceptance), Gewichtsabnahme (weight loss), Blutabnahme (blood sampling), Warenabnahme (acceptance of goods), Mindestabnahme (minimum purchase quantity).