ab
from (a point in time or place) · off, away from (a location or origin)
The preposition 'ab' means 'from' or 'off' and is used to indicate a starting point in time or place, or separation. It is very common in everyday German and often appears in fixed expressions.
What ab means
- from (a point in time or place) — Used to indicate the starting point of a time period or location, often with a date, time, or place.
- off, away from (a location or origin) — Indicates the point of origin or departure, often in commercial or logistical contexts, e.g., 'ab Werk' (ex works).
Example sentences
- Ab morgen bin ich im Urlaub.From tomorrow I am on vacation.
- Der Zug fährt ab Gleis 3.The train departs from platform 3.
- Die Lieferung erfolgt ab Werk.Delivery is ex works.
- Ab jetzt wird alles anders.From now on everything will be different.
Grammar
| Case | Dative |
|---|---|
| Contraction with dem | None (always separate: 'ab dem') |
Always takes the dative case.
Common phrases
- ab und zunow and then, occasionally
- ab sofortwith immediate effect, from now on
- ab und anevery now and then
The mistake English speakers make
English speakers often confuse 'ab' with 'seit' when talking about time. 'Ab' is used for a point in the future or a starting point, while 'seit' is used for something that started in the past and continues. For example, 'Ich wohne seit 2010 hier' (I have lived here since 2010), but 'Ab 2010 wohne ich hier' (From 2010 I will live here).
Don’t confuse it with
- seit — 'Seit' means 'since' and refers to a period of time that began in the past and continues to the present, while 'ab' refers to a starting point in the future or a point of departure.
- von — 'Von' also means 'from' but is used for origins, possession, or a starting point in space, while 'ab' is more about a point in time or a starting point for a journey or process.
Questions learners ask
What is the difference between 'ab' and 'seit'?
'Ab' indicates a starting point in the future or a point of departure, while 'seit' indicates a period of time that began in the past and continues to the present. For example, 'Ab morgen' means 'from tomorrow', but 'seit gestern' means 'since yesterday'.
Does 'ab' always take the dative case?
Yes, 'ab' is a dative preposition, so the noun or pronoun following it must be in the dative case. For example, 'ab dem ersten Mai' (from the first of May).
What does 'ab und zu' mean?
'Ab und zu' means 'now and then' or 'occasionally'. It is a common phrase used to describe something that happens sometimes but not regularly.