Frame description

Words in the Relaxing and Resting frame describe situations in which the Relaxer (or a specific Body_part of the Relaxer) recovers from an Impairment or an earlier Activity to regain their previous strength and condition. A Stimulus may cause the Relaxer to unwind and recover.

 Examples:

1. Die Sportler erholten sich von den Verletzungen.   1. The athletes recovered from the injuries. 
2. Sascha relaxt nach der Arbeit mit einem Buch und einem Glas Wein.   2. Sascha relaxes after work with a book and a glass of wine.  
3. Leichtes Hüpfen entspannt die Muskeln.3. Jumping lightly relaxes the muscles.

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Details
Examples
Grammar Notes
Sentence Templates
Alternate Forms

Frame Elements

Frame Element descriptions (on hover):

Relaxer

The Relaxer is a person or entity that relaxes.

Body_part

The Body_part is the body part or area of the body of a Relaxer that relaxes, releases tension.

Activity

The FE Activity describes the activity from which the Relaxer recovers.

Impairment

The Impairment refers to an impairing event, situation or state from which the Relaxer recovers.

Stimulus

The Stimulus is what causes the Relaxer to relax and/or recover.

Details
Examples
Grammar Notes
Sentence Templates
Alternate Forms
See All Information
abschalten verb to relax, to rest one's mind

Details:

to relax, to rest one's mind, lit. to switch off

The separable-prefix verb "abschalten" (lit. "to switch off") refers to situations where Relaxers turn their attention and concentration away from an Actitivity to take a rest in order to recover. It is a colloquial verb that entails mental, intellectual relaxing, not physical resting, much like English "shutting off your brain" to calm your mind. Like with its English counterpart, the literal meaning of "abschalten" ("to switch off," "to shut down") is used in a different frame for shutting down technical devices.

"Abschalten" can be used with a Body_part only when it refers to the mental capacities of a Relaxer, like "der Kopf" ("the head") or "das Gehirn" ("the brain"), e.g. "Aber wir müssen jetzt den Kopf abschalten und das Spiel vergessen." ("But we now have to switch off the head and forget the game."), or "Das Gehirn muss manchmal einfach abschalten." ("The brain must sometimes simply shut down.").

Pixabay license, via Pixabay.com

Further details:

Synonyms:

"es sich bequem machen," "sich entspannen," "(sich) ausruhen," "sich erholen," among others.

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„abschalten“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/abschalten>, abgerufen am 06.10.2021.

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Example Sentences:

  1. Nach der Arbeit schaltet Nina ab.
  2. Manchmal muss das Gehirn einfach abschalten.
  3. Ich kann meinen Kopf einfach nicht abschalten.
  4. Ich möchte abschalten und mich von Kopf bis Fuß verwöhnen lassen.
  5. Manche Menschen empfinden es als Urlaub, wenn sie zwei Wochen abschalten können.
  6. Es hilft schon, wenn sich Menschen durch die Sauna mal Zeit nehmen, richtig abzuschalten.
  7. Susanne braucht nach dem Büro ihre Kuschelheizdecke, um richtig abzuschalten.
  8. Hier in meiner Wohnung ist für mich mein Zuhause, hier kann ich abschalten.
  9. Viele sagen, dass sie gut abschalten können, wenn sie meine Videos sehen.
  1. After work Nina relaxes.
  2. Sometimes must the brain simply switch off.
  3. I can my head simply not switch off.
  4. I want to relax and let myself be pampered from head to toe.
  5. Some people perceive it as vacation when they can relax for two weeks.
  6. It helps already if people through the sauna take the time to really relax.
  7. Susanne needs after the office her blankie in order to really relax.
  8. Here in my apartment is for me my home, here I can rest my mind.
  9. Many say that they can relax well when they watch my videos.
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Grammar:

Verbs with Separable Prefixes

Some verbs have a prefix that moves around in the sentence, depending on what form the verb takes. You can expect the prefix to appear at the end of the sentence or clause, but whether the verb appears there with it depends on the rest of the sentence (tense, presence of a modal verb, etc.). In the infinitive form, the prefix is attached, like "ausgehen" ("to go out"). If the verb is conjugated (in present or simple past tense), the prefix appears at the end of the clause, as in "Ich gehe heute Abend aus" ("I am going out tonight"). The chart below shows several structural variants for these kinds of verbs. For more information, see the examples for individual verbs in the G-FOL or read these explanations from Grimm Grammar: present tense, conversational past tense (Perfekt).

Die erste Stelle (first position)V2 (verb 2nd)Rest (the rest of the info)am Ende (at the end)
Am Samstagabendgeheich mit Freundenaus.
Ichgingam Samstagabend mit Freunden aus.
Mit Freundenbinich am Samstagabendausgegangen.
Wanngeheich mit Freundenaus?
Ichkannnicht am Samstagabend mit Freunden ausgehen.
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Templates with Frame Elements:

  1. RELAXER schaltet ab.
  2. RELAXER schaltet BODY_PART ab.
  3. BODY_PART schaltet ab.
  4. RELAXER schaltet durch STIMULUS ab.
  5. RELAXER schaltet in / an / auf / usw. STIMULUS ab.
  6. RELAXER schaltet ab, STIMULUS.clause.
  7. STIMULUS.clause, um abzuschalten.
  1. RELAXER rests their mind.
  2. RELAXER switches off BODY_PART.
  3. BODY_PART switches off.
  4. RELAXER rests their mind through STIMULUS.
  5. RELAXER rests their mind in / at / on / etc. STIMULUS.
  6. RELAXER rests their mind, STIMULUS.clause.
  7. STIMULUS.clause, in order to rest their mind.
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Details:

to relax, to rest one's mind, lit. to switch off

The separable-prefix verb "abschalten" (lit. "to switch off") refers to situations where Relaxers turn their attention and concentration away from an Actitivity to take a rest in order to recover. It is a colloquial verb that entails mental, intellectual relaxing, not physical resting, much like English "shutting off your brain" to calm your mind. Like with its English counterpart, the literal meaning of "abschalten" ("to switch off," "to shut down") is used in a different frame for shutting down technical devices.

"Abschalten" can be used with a Body_part only when it refers to the mental capacities of a Relaxer, like "der Kopf" ("the head") or "das Gehirn" ("the brain"), e.g. "Aber wir müssen jetzt den Kopf abschalten und das Spiel vergessen." ("But we now have to switch off the head and forget the game."), or "Das Gehirn muss manchmal einfach abschalten." ("The brain must sometimes simply shut down.").

Pixabay license, via Pixabay.com

Further details:

Synonyms:

"es sich bequem machen," "sich entspannen," "(sich) ausruhen," "sich erholen," among others.

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„abschalten“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/abschalten>, abgerufen am 06.10.2021.

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Alternate Forms:

(er) schaltet ab, schaltete ab, hat abgeschaltet
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abspannen verb to relax, to have a rest

Details:

to relax, to have a rest

The German separable-prefix verb "abspannen" is a less frequently used synonym for "entspannen" and "ausruhen" (see their entries in this frame for more information). It refers to situations where a Relaxer takes an break to relax in order to restore a state of physical, mental, or both well-being after an Actvity that can be mentioned. "Abspannen" in modern German is not reflexive (though it once was) and does not combine with a specific Body_part or an Impairment.

German speakers most frequently use this verb in an infinite form (i.e. the infinitive "abspannen," and the past participle "abgespannt") in combination with auxiliary verbs ("haben," "werden") and modal verbs ("wollen," "können," "müssen," etc.). Often a modifier is also included, such as "etwas" ("somewhat"), "ein bisschen" ("a little bit"), or "am Wochenende" ("on the weekend"), e.g. "Eva muss unbedingt ein bisschen abspannen" ("Eva must absolutely a little bit relax."), or "Ich werde am Wochenende endlich einmal abspannen." ("I will on the weekend finally take a rest for once.").

Er ist abgespannt. / He is having a rest.

Pixabay license, via Pixabay.com

Further details:

Word formation:

"die Abspannung" ("exhaustion"), "der Abspann" ("credits," "end credits" of a movie)

Synonyms:

"entspannen," "erholen," "ausruhen"

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„abspannen“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/abspannen>, abgerufen am 06.10.2021.

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Example Sentences:

  1. Karl will abspannen.
  2. Wir werden jetzt ein bisschen abspannen.
  3. Es ist wichtig, einmal kurz abzuspannen.
  4. Beim Malen kann man so gut abspannen.
  5. Ich trinke nach der Sendung ein Bier um abzuspannen.
  6. Wir sollen beim Lesen abspannen.
  7. Paris war sehr hektisch, ich musste mich hinsetzen, abspannen, vielleicht eine Zigarre rauchen.
  8. Wir haben den freien Tag gut genutzt und etwas abgespannt.
  9. Kinder und Jugendliche sollten genügend Zeit haben, damit sie auch mal abspannen können.
  10. Aber ich versuche schon ganz bewusst abzuspannen.
  11. Viele Menschen wollen vor dem Fernsehapparat abspannen, zu Neudeutsch: auschillen.
  1. Karl wants to relax.
  2. We will now a little bit relax.
  3. It is important to have a little rest once in a while.
  4. While painting one can so well relax.
  5. I drink after the show a beer to relax.
  6. We should while reading relax.
  7. Paris was hectic, I had to sit down, take a break, maybe smoke a cigar.
  8. We used the free day well and relaxed a bit.
  9. Children and teenagers should have enough time so that they also for once can have a rest.
  10. However, I try indeed very consciously to relax.
  11. Many people want in front of the tv to relax, in New-German: to chill out.
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Grammar:

Verbs with Separable Prefixes

Some verbs have a prefix that moves around in the sentence, depending on what form the verb takes. You can expect the prefix to appear at the end of the sentence or clause, but whether the verb appears there with it depends on the rest of the sentence (tense, presence of a modal verb, etc.). In the infinitive form, the prefix is attached, like "ausgehen" ("to go out"). If the verb is conjugated (in present or simple past tense), the prefix appears at the end of the clause, as in "Ich gehe heute Abend aus" ("I am going out tonight"). The chart below shows several structural variants for these kinds of verbs. For more information, see the examples for individual verbs in the G-FOL or read these explanations from Grimm Grammar: present tense, conversational past tense (Perfekt).

Die erste Stelle (first position)V2 (verb 2nd)Rest (the rest of the info)am Ende (at the end)
Am Samstagabendgeheich mit Freundenaus.
Ichgingam Samstagabend mit Freunden aus.
Mit Freundenbinich am Samstagabendausgegangen.
Wanngeheich mit Freundenaus?
Ichkannnicht am Samstagabend mit Freunden ausgehen.
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Templates with Frame Elements:

  1. RELAXER wird / muss / kann / usw. abspannen.
  2. RELAXER spannt nach ACTIVITY ab.
  3. RELAXER spannt bei STIMULUS ab.
  1. RELAXER will / must / can / etc. have a rest.
  2. RELAXER has a rest after ACTIVITY.
  3. RELAXER relaxes with STIMULUS.
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Details:

to relax, to have a rest

The German separable-prefix verb "abspannen" is a less frequently used synonym for "entspannen" and "ausruhen" (see their entries in this frame for more information). It refers to situations where a Relaxer takes an break to relax in order to restore a state of physical, mental, or both well-being after an Actvity that can be mentioned. "Abspannen" in modern German is not reflexive (though it once was) and does not combine with a specific Body_part or an Impairment.

German speakers most frequently use this verb in an infinite form (i.e. the infinitive "abspannen," and the past participle "abgespannt") in combination with auxiliary verbs ("haben," "werden") and modal verbs ("wollen," "können," "müssen," etc.). Often a modifier is also included, such as "etwas" ("somewhat"), "ein bisschen" ("a little bit"), or "am Wochenende" ("on the weekend"), e.g. "Eva muss unbedingt ein bisschen abspannen" ("Eva must absolutely a little bit relax."), or "Ich werde am Wochenende endlich einmal abspannen." ("I will on the weekend finally take a rest for once.").

Er ist abgespannt. / He is having a rest.

Pixabay license, via Pixabay.com

Further details:

Word formation:

"die Abspannung" ("exhaustion"), "der Abspann" ("credits," "end credits" of a movie)

Synonyms:

"entspannen," "erholen," "ausruhen"

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„abspannen“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/abspannen>, abgerufen am 06.10.2021.

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Alternate Forms:

(er) spannt ab, spannte ab, hat abgespannt
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ausgeruht adjective rested, well-rested

Details:

rested, well-rested

"Ausgeruht" is the past participle of the verb "ausruhen" ("to rest," "to relax;" see entry in this frame for details) which can be used as an adjective and/or adverb just like in English. When a Relaxer is "ausgeruht" ("well-rested," "relaxed") they have restored their physical and mental well-being, and are ready to engage in Activities (again).

The opposite of "ausgeruht" is "erschöpft" ("exhausted," "fatigued") although German speakers can also say "unausgeruht" ("not rested," "fatigued").

"Ausgeruht" can also describe a Body_part, e.g. "eine ausgeruhte Hand" ("a well-rested hand"), "ein ausgeruhter Kopf" ("a rested head"), or "ausgeruhte Nerven" ("well-rested, relaxed nerves").

Pixabay license, via Pixabay.com

Further details:

Synonyms:

"entspannt," "erholt"

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„ausruhen“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/ausruhen>, abgerufen am 07.10.2021.

 

"Ausruhen" is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat A2.

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Example Sentences:

  1. Ich bin ausgeruht, ich habe viel Kraft.
  2. Die Spieler sind frisch und ausgeruht.
  3. Am Morgen fühlen wir uns nicht wirklich ausgeruht.
  4. Es werden neue Fahrzeuge verlangt, es werden ausgeruhte Fahrer verlangt.
  5. Zwei Männer mit ausgeruhten Gesichtern sitzen beieinander.
  6. Deutschlands bester Golfer macht einen ausgeruhten Eindruck.
  7. Gegen die ausgeruhteren Mainzer hat die Rostocker Mannschaft verloren.
  1. I am well-rested, I have a lot of strength.
  2. The players are fresh and well-rested.
  3. In the morning we don't really feel rested.
  4. New vehicles are requested, well-rested drivers are requested.
  5. Two men with well-rested faces sit next to each other.
  6. Germany's best golfer makes a well-rested impression.
  7. Against the better rested team from Mainz, the team from Rostock lost.
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Templates with Frame Elements:

  1. RELAXER ist ausgeruht.
  2. RELAXER hat ausgeruht- BODY_PART.
  3. [ausgeruht- RELAXER]
  4. [ausgeruht- BODY_PART]
  1. RELAXER is rested / well-rested.
  2. RELAXER has rested BODY_PART.
  3. [rested RELAXER]
  4. [rested BODY_PART]
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Details:

rested, well-rested

"Ausgeruht" is the past participle of the verb "ausruhen" ("to rest," "to relax;" see entry in this frame for details) which can be used as an adjective and/or adverb just like in English. When a Relaxer is "ausgeruht" ("well-rested," "relaxed") they have restored their physical and mental well-being, and are ready to engage in Activities (again).

The opposite of "ausgeruht" is "erschöpft" ("exhausted," "fatigued") although German speakers can also say "unausgeruht" ("not rested," "fatigued").

"Ausgeruht" can also describe a Body_part, e.g. "eine ausgeruhte Hand" ("a well-rested hand"), "ein ausgeruhter Kopf" ("a rested head"), or "ausgeruhte Nerven" ("well-rested, relaxed nerves").

Pixabay license, via Pixabay.com

Further details:

Synonyms:

"entspannt," "erholt"

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„ausruhen“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/ausruhen>, abgerufen am 07.10.2021.

 

"Ausruhen" is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat A2.

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Alternate Forms:

ausgeruhter, am ausgeruhtesten
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ausruhen: (sich) ausruhen verb to rest, to have a rest, to take a rest, to relax

Details:

to rest, to have/take a rest, to relax

This separable-prefix verb refers to a situation where a Relaxer recovers from or after an Activity by taking a rest to regain strength and/or a previous state of well-being, which has a meaning similar to "(sich) erholen" ("to relax;" see entry in this frame). German speakers use the verb mostly reflexively, e.g. "Ich ruhe mich von der Reise aus." ("I relax from the trip.").

The Relaxer can also rest the body, the mind, both, or a certain Body_part which replace the reflexive pronoun as the direct object (accusative case) in the sentence, e.g. "Mutter ruht ihre Hände aus." ("Mother rests her hands."). The verb is sometimes used without the reflexive pronoun, which has the meaning of taking a break as in "Er ruht aus." ("He takes a break.") or "Ich muss ausruhen." ("I have to take a break.").

"Ausruhen" is rarely used with an Impairment or a Stimulus, although you may encounter sentences like "Er ruht sich bei einem Glas Bier aus." ("He relaxes with a glass of beer."). The "glass of beer" here is a parallel activity to resting, and not necessarily denote a Stimulus.

Speakers often refer to a place where the Relaxer is having a rest, e.g. "Horst erholt sich im Garten." ("Horst relaxes in the garden."). "Ausruhen" is related to "ruhen" (literary "to rest," "to relax") and the noun "die Ruhe" ("rest"), see the entries in this frame for more information.