abzuschalten

Abzuschalten is a German verb meaning to switch off, deactivate, or disconnect something from power or from an active state. It can refer to electronic devices, machines, or processes, as well as to disengagement from a situation or activity. The verb is built from the root schalten with the prefix ab-, which conveys separation or cessation; the base form is abschalten and, in finite clauses, the prefix can appear separated (Ich schalte den Computer ab; Wir schalten die Maschine ab). The past participle is abgeschaltet.

In everyday usage, abschalten is common in technology and engineering contexts: computers, routers, machines, and software can be abgeschaltet or abgeschaltet werden. It is also used in energy and safety contexts: Den Motor abschalten, die Anlage abschalten, oder das Netz abschalten. The term can also be used metaphorically to describe mental disengagement: nach einem anstrengenden Tag abschalten means to switch off mentally or to relax.

Grammar notes: abschalten is a separable verb, so in simple present tense the prefix is placed at the end (du schaltest ab). The infinitive form used in subordinate clauses or certain constructions is abschalten; in some infinitive clauses the form abzuschalten appears, depending on the sentence structure. The related verbs include ausschalten (to switch off completely) and deaktivieren (to deactivate).

See also: ausschalten, deaktivieren, herunterfahren.