schicken vs abschicken
German word comparison
Listen to schicken
Listen to abschicken
| schicken | abschicken |
|---|---|
SCHI-ken verb | /ˈapʃɪkən/ (AB-shik-en) verb |
| to send (someone/something to another person or place) | to send off or submit (with emphasis on the act of sending/dispatching, often finalizing a message, form, or package) |
How they differ
'Abschicken' differs from 'schicken' by focusing on the completion or sending-off moment (e.g., pressing 'send' or handing a letter to the post); 'schicken' covers the general idea of sending without that emphasis on the finalizing action. Use 'abschicken' when you want to highlight that the item has been dispatched or that the sending action has been carried out.
When to use each
When to use schicken: Prefer 'schicken' for general descriptions of sending or when no emphasis on the act's completion is needed.
When to use abschicken: Prefer 'abschicken' when emphasizing that something has been sent or submitted (e.g., submitting a form or having already sent an email).
Side-by-side examples
- Ich schicke ihm die Nachricht.
(I'll send him the message.) - Hast du die E-Mail schon abgeschickt?
(Have you already sent/submitted the email?)
Register & nuance: 'Abschicken' is neutral and commonly used in both spoken and written German, especially when stressing the completion of the sending action.