ab|färben
Translation
to stain, to rub off, to lose colour
Examples
Die neue Jeans färbt stark ab.
The new jeans are staining badly.
Seine schlechte Laune färbt auf alle ab.
His bad mood is rubbing off on everyone.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) färbt ab sth. stains/loses colour The red sock has stained everything.
((sth.)) färbt ((auf sb./sth.)) ab sth. rubs off on sb./sth. His enthusiasm is rubbing off on the team.
Similar Words
Synonyms: ausbleichen (to fade), verfärben (to discolour)
Etymology
From 'ab-' (off, away) + 'färben' (to colour). Literally 'to colour off'.
Memory Tips
Imagine a new red sock leaving its colour ('Farbe') 'ab' (off) onto your white shirts in the wash.