verb
to pick up, to collect
A1
Abholen is a separable verb meaning 'to pick up' or 'to collect'. Prefix ab- separates in main clauses (ich hole dich ab). Uses auxiliary haben for perfect (ich habe abgeholt). It is regular (weak) and non‑reflexive. Takes an accusative object (jemanden/etwas abholen) and appears with motion or retrieval contexts.
Examples
Sie holte das Paket von der Post ab.
She picked up the package from the post office.
Du hast mich vom Flughafen abgeholt.
You picked me up from the airport.
Der Vater holte das Paket ab, weil die Nachbarin nicht zur Post gehen konnte.
The father picked up the parcel because the neighbor could not go to the post office.
Details
Mnemonics
picture someone at a door and a car pulling up to collect them
sounds like 'up-holden' — imagine holding someone up to the car
Notes
Separable verb (ich hole dich ab). Used with 'bei' for locations often. Uses haben in perfect tenses.