verb
to depend (on), to hang out, to take down
B1
Abhängen: three main meanings: 'to depend (on)' (abhängen von + dative), 'to hang out' (colloquial, e.g. mit Freunden abhängen), and 'to take down' (physically remove). Separable (ab-hängen), irregular strong verb (Präteritum hing ab). Uses haben; participles: abgehangen (depend/hang out), abgehängt (take down).
Examples
Nach der Schule hängen die Jugendlichen oft im Park ab.
After school the kids often hang out in the park.
Es hing von der Stimmung ab.
It depended on the mood.
Es hängt von deinem Termin ab, ob ich kommen kann.
Whether I can come depends on your appointment.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture a poster hanging on a wall that either 'depends' on a hook (depends on) or teenagers leaning against a wall 'hanging out'.
Sounds like 'uh-bang-en' — imagine 'uh, bang' then 'en' to recall the 'ab-' + 'hängen' rhythm.
Notes
This separable verb has two common senses: 'abhängen von' = 'to depend on' and colloquial 'mit jemandem abhängen' = 'to hang out'. There are also two participle patterns in usage: 'abgehangen' (used with meanings like 'depend') and 'abgehängt' (used when physically taking something down). Use 'haben' as the auxiliary in perfect tenses.