die  Absetzung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʔapˌzɛt͡sʊŋ/

📜 What does "die Absetzung" mean?

Die Absetzung is a feminine noun with several meanings, often carrying a negative or conclusive connotation:

• Removal / Dismissal: The most common meaning refers to the removal of a person from an office, position, or post. Example: Die Absetzung des Ministers erfolgte nach dem Skandal. (The minister's removal occurred after the scandal.)

• Tax Deduction: In finance and taxation, die Absetzung refers to an amount that can be deducted from taxable income (often known as "Absetzung für Abnutzung" or AfA - depreciation). Example: Die Kosten für das Arbeitszimmer können unter bestimmten Bedingungen zur Absetzung gebracht werden. (The costs for the home office can be claimed as a deduction under certain conditions.)

• Discontinuation / Termination: It can also mean the termination or stopping of a production, a series, a treatment, or a procedure. Example: Die Absetzung der Fernsehserie enttäuschte viele Fans. (The discontinuation of the TV series disappointed many fans.)

• Deposition / Sedimentation (less common): Sometimes, but less commonly for the noun die Absetzung itself, it can refer to the process of sediment deposition (the noun das Absetzen is more common for this). Example: Die Absetzung von Schlamm im Flussbett. (The deposition of mud in the riverbed.) ⚠️ This meaning is less typical for die Absetzung.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "die Absetzung" in Detail

"Absetzung" is a feminine noun. The article is die.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Die Absetzung des Präsidenten wurde gefordert.
   (The removal of the president was demanded.) (Dismissal)
2. Prüfen Sie die Möglichkeiten zur steuerlichen Absetzung Ihrer Fortbildungskosten.
   (Check the possibilities for tax deduction of your further training costs.) (Tax Deduction)
3. Nach nur einer Staffel erfolgte die Absetzung der Show.
   (The show's cancellation occurred after only one season.) (Discontinuation)
4. Die plötzliche Absetzung des Medikaments kann gefährlich sein.
   (The sudden discontinuation of the medication can be dangerous.) (Stopping/Discontinuation of treatment)

💡 How to use "die Absetzung"?

The usage of die Absetzung strongly depends on the context:

• Politics & Work: Here, it usually means dismissal or removal from office. It sounds formal and often negative. Alternatives: Entlassung (dismissal), Kündigung (termination, more for employment contracts), Amtsenthebung (removal from office).
• Finance & Taxes: Refers to tax deduction. A specific technical term. Often used as "Absetzung von der Steuer" (deduction from tax). Alternatives: Abzug (deduction), steuerliche Geltendmachung (claiming for tax purposes).
• Media & Products: Refers to the discontinuation or end of a series, product, etc. Alternatives: Einstellung (discontinuation), Beendigung (termination), Auslaufenlassen (phasing out).
• Medicine: Can mean the discontinuation of medication or therapy. Caution: often requires medical supervision. Alternatives: Beendigung (termination), Stoppen (stopping).

Generally, die Absetzung is a rather formal word.

🧠 Mnemonics for Absetzung

Article Mnemonic: Think of words ending in "-ion" in English, like suspension or deduction, which relate to meanings of Absetzung. While English doesn't have grammatical gender like German, the German suffix "-ung" is almost always feminine (die). So, die Absetzung.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone being 'set down' (ab-setzen) from their high position (removal), or 'setting aside' (ab-setzen) money from taxes (deduction), or a TV show being 'set aside' (ab-setzen) and cancelled (discontinuation). The prefix "ab-" often indicates removal or separation.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words:

• Der Absatz: Can mean a paragraph, a heel (of a shoe), or sales/turnover. Don't confuse!
• Das Absetzen: The nominalized verb, can refer to the act of setting something down (e.g., a bag), discontinuing (e.g., medication), or sedimentation.

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: "Können Sie Überstunden machen, Kaffee kochen und auch mal Kritik vertragen?" Sagt der Mitarbeiter: "Klar! Kann ich auch morgens länger schlafen, früher gehen und mich über die Absetzung von Aufgaben freuen?"

English Translation: The boss asks the new employee: "Can you work overtime, make coffee, and handle criticism?" The employee replies: "Sure! Can I also sleep in longer in the morning, leave earlier, and look forward to the Absetzung (discontinuation/removal) of tasks?"

✍️ Poem about Absetzung

German: Ein Stuhl wird frei, ein Amt ist leer,
die Absetzung, sie wiegt so schwer.
Mal ist's ein Abzug, klein und fein,
von Steuern, ja, so soll es sein.
Mal endet eine Serie schnell,
die Absetzung kommt auf der Stell'.
Ein Wort, das oft ein Ende bringt,
während woanders Neues klingt.

English Translation: A chair is free, an office empty now,
Die Absetzung, it carries weight somehow.
Sometimes a deduction, small and neat,
From taxes, yes, a welcome treat.
Sometimes a series ends too fast,
Die Absetzung's shadow cast.
A word that often brings an end,
While elsewhere, new things transcend.

❓ Little Riddle

German: Ich kann einen König vom Thron entfernen,
oder helfen, Steuern zu schmälern, gern.
Manchmal beende ich eine Show im TV,
mal bin ich schmerzlich, mal tut's nicht weh.

Was bin ich? ... Die Absetzung

English Translation: I can remove a king from his throne,
Or help to make tax burdens groan (less).
Sometimes I end a show on TV,
Sometimes painful, sometimes carefree.

What am I? ... Die Absetzung

More Insights

Word Formation (Wortbildung):

The word "Absetzung" is a noun derived from the verb "absetzen". It consists of:

• Prefix "ab-": Indicates movement away, separation, or an end.
• Verb stem "setz": From the verb "setzen" (to set, put, place).
• Suffix "-ung": Forms feminine nouns from verbs, often denoting a process or its result.

Interesting: The variety of meanings stems from the different contexts in which the verb "absetzen" can be used (jemanden absetzen - to dismiss someone, etwas von der Steuer absetzen - to deduct something from taxes, ein Produkt absetzen - to discontinue a product or sell it).