abzustellen

Abstellen is a German verb with several related meanings that hinge on removing something from an active state or placing it somewhere else. It is a separable-prefix verb: in finite main clauses the prefix moves to the end (ich stelle ab), while in subordinate clauses it remains together with the infinitive (damit ich das Auto abstelle). The past participle is abgestellt.

The core senses cover turning off or deactivating devices, putting something down or parking it, stopping a process, and removing something from service. For example, den Computer oder den Herd abzustellen means to switch them off; jemanden oder etwas abzustellen can also mean to place a bicycle, car, or other object somewhere temporarily, e.g., Ich habe das Fahrrad vor dem Haus abgestellt. A third sense is to suspend or halt activities, as in Die Produktion wurde vorübergehend abgestellt. In technical or logistical contexts, Abstellung can also denote decommissioning or retirement from service, especially when referring to equipment, vehicles, or facilities.

Usage notes and related terms: Abstellen is often contrasted with ausschalten or abschalten, which more specifically emphasize an electrical or functional shutdown. The noun form das Abstellen refers to the act of turning off or putting aside; in transportation and industry, the term Abstellung (often used without the definite article) denotes the removal from service or storage, such as the Abstellung eines Zugs (parking or decommissioning a train). Adjektive like abstellbar indicate that something can be placed or stored away, depending on context.

In summary, abzustellen covers practical actions of turning off, placing down, or withdrawing from use, with nuance determined by context and whether the object is being temporarily parked, permanently decommissioned, or simply set aside.