abspielt

Abspielt is not a standard dictionary lemma in German; the corresponding infinitive is abspielen. Abspielen is a separable-prefix verb, and its present tense forms are typically written as two words, for example er spielt ab. The past participle is abgespielt, and passive forms use wird abgespielt.

In everyday usage, abspielen primarily means to play back or to perform a media file from a storage medium or device. Examples include Der Film wird abgespielt (The film is being played back) or Der Song wird abgespielt. In computing and media contexts, abspielen covers streaming or local playback of audio and video. The related noun das Abspielen or das Abspielen von Medien refers to the act or process of playing back.

A second, idiomatic meaning relies on a reflexive construction: es spielt sich etwas ab, meaning that something unfolds or takes place. This sense describes events or situations rather than physical playback. For example: Es spielt sich eine Diskussion ab (A discussion is taking place). This usage highlights progression or development rather than reproduction of a sound or image.

Common related terms include Wiedergabe (playback, reproduction), Abspielgerät (playback device), and Abspielzeit (playback time). While abspielt as a single word is generally not used as the present-tense form in standard German, readers may encounter it in texts with typographical shorthand or errors. Correct spelling hinges on the separable prefix structure: ich spiele ab, er spielt ab, abgespielt.

In summary, abspielen covers playback of media and the unfolding of events through the reflexive form, with das Abspielen serving as the primary noun for the process.