abkönnen

German

Etymology

Originally abhaben können, which is the same as haben können (“to be able to stand, endure”). The main verb haben was then felt as redundant and was ellipsed, as is common in colloquial German.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈapˌkœnən/

Verb

abkönnen (irregular, third-person singular simple present kann ab, past tense konnte ab, past participle abgekonnt, auxiliary haben)

  1. (idiomatic, colloquial) to be able to stand or endure something or someone
    Hör mit dem Fingerschnippen auf! Das kann ich nicht ab.
    Stop clicking your fingers! I can't stand that.
    Wenn der Peter auch da is’, geh ich direkt wieder. Den kann ich echt nich’ ab!
    If Peter’s there as well, I’ll leave right away. I really can’t stand that guy!

Derived terms

See also

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