abstatten

Abstatten is a German verb with a separable prefix ab- attached to statten. Its central meaning is to perform or render something, most commonly to pay a visit to someone. The fixed expression Eine Besuch abstatten (with the indirect object in the dative) is the standard way to express paying a formal visit. In more formal or literary contexts the construction kann auch mit anderen Formen wie eine Visite abstatten auftreten, but die Hauptbedeutung bleibt der Besuch.

Etymology and usage notes: Statten itself means to furnish, provide, or equip, and ab- shifts the sense toward completion or outward action. The verb is primarily used in formal or ceremonial language. It is important to distinguish abstatten from ausstatten, which means to outfit or equip someone or something; the two verbs are not interchangeable.

Grammar: Abstatten is a separable-prefix verb, so in the present tense the prefix is separated: Ich statte dem Minister heute einen Besuch ab. In the perfect it takes das Hilfsverb haben and the participle abgestattet: Ich habe dem Minister heute einen Besuch abgestattet. The direct object is der Besuch (accusative), and the indirect object is the person or institution visited (dative).

Register and usage context: The expression is relatively formal and somewhat ceremonial. In everyday language Germans typically say einen Besuch machen rather than abstatten, but abstatten remains common in official statements, press releases, and formal narration about visits by officials or dignitaries.