verb
to depart, to leave (by vehicle)
A1
Abfahren: to depart or leave by vehicle. Separable prefix verb (fährt ab) with stem vowel change (a→ä) in du/er and past stem fuhr-. It's a strong irregular verb using sein in perfect (bin abgefahren). Non-reflexive; prefix ab- separates in main clauses. No fixed preposition.
Examples
Wir sind schon abgefahren.
We've already left.
Ich fahre jeden Morgen mit dem Fahrrad zur Arbeit ab.
I leave for work by bike every morning.
Wir müssen bald abfahren, sonst verpassen wir den Bus.
We have to leave soon, or we'll miss the bus.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture a train moving away from a platform labeled 'ab' as it departs
ab- + 'fahren' -> think 'off' + 'drive' = 'drive off'
n/a
Notes
Separable verb: prefix 'ab' detaches in main clauses ('Der Zug fährt ab'). Motion verb that uses 'sein' as auxiliary in perfect tenses: 'ist abgefahren'. | Intransitive motion verb; personal passive conjugation blocks are not applicable.