Abfahren

Abfahren is a German verb formed with the verb fahren and the separable prefix ab-, meaning to depart, set off, or drive away, typically in reference to a vehicle leaving a location. It is used for trains, buses, cars, ships, and airplanes, as well as for people who are leaving a place by vehicle. In main clauses the prefix is separated: Der Zug fährt um acht Uhr ab. Das Flugzeug fährt in wenigen Minuten ab. In subordinate clauses the prefix moves to the end: weil der Zug um acht Uhr abfährt.

Grammatically, abfahren is an intransitive verb that governs movement and uses sein in the perfect tense: Der Zug ist abgefahren. The simple past is fuhr ab: Der Zug fuhr ab. The verb is commonly paired with time expressions such as Abfahrt, Abfahrtszeit, or Abfahrtsgleis, reflecting schedules and platforms, though Abfahrt is the more standard noun for the event or time of departure.

Noun usage and related terms: das Abfahren (the act of departing) is less common in everyday speech; Abfahrt is the standard noun denoting departure, especially in timetables and announcements. Related terms include losfahren (to start driving off), abbiegen (to turn off), and ausfahren (to drive out or out to a location).

Usage notes: Abfahren emphasizes the act of leaving from a starting point, typically involving transportation. In timetable language and travel contexts, Abfahrt is preferred for indicating departure times, while abgefahren can describe something that has already departed.