verb
to cancel, to decline, to call off
B1
Absagen: primary meanings 'to cancel' (e.g., eine Veranstaltung absagen) and 'to decline' (jemandem absagen). Separable verb (ab-sagen), regular weak verb with Perfekt abgesagt, and uses auxiliary haben. It’s transitive (often with accusative or dative for the person affected). Passive forms are common.
Examples
Sie hat das Angebot abgesagt, weil es nicht interessant war.
She declined the offer because it wasn't interesting.
Der Veranstalter sagte das Konzert ab, weil viele Musiker krank waren.
The organizer cancelled the concert because many musicians were ill.
Er hat die Party abgesagt.
He canceled the party.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture crossing out an appointment in a calendar — you 'absagen' it
sounds like 'ab-say-gen' — imagine saying 'no' and sending something away
Notes
Separable verb: in main clauses the prefix 'ab-' separates (ich sage das Treffen ab). Regular weak verb derived from 'sagen'. Uses 'haben' in perfect tenses.