ab|lösen
Translation
to replace, to relieve (someone), to detach, to pay off (a debt)
Examples
Die Nachtschicht löst die Tagschicht ab.
The night shift relieves the day shift.
Die Tapete löst sich von der Wand ab.
The wallpaper is coming off the wall.
Sie hat den alten Kredit vollständig abgelöst.
She has completely paid off the old loan.
Neue Technologien lösen alte ab.
New technologies are replacing old ones.
Grammar Patterns
((sb./sth.)) to replace/relieve sb./sth. A new captain is relieving the old one.
sich ((from sth.)) to come off/detach from sth. The label is coming off the bottle.
((sth.)) to pay off sth. (a debt) He has paid off the mortgage.
Similar Words
Etymology
From 'ab-' (off, away) and 'lösen' (to loosen, solve). The core idea is 'to loosen off'.
Memory Tips
Think of 'loosening' something to take it 'off': you loosen a sticker to peel it off, or you loosen someone from their duty to relieve them.