ab|führen
Translation
to lead away, to pay (taxes), to have a laxative effect, to arrest
Examples
Die Polizei führt den Verdächtigen ab.
The police are leading the suspect away.
Man muss Steuern an das Finanzamt abführen.
One must pay taxes to the tax office.
Dieses Mittel führt ab.
This medicine has a laxative effect.
Grammar Patterns
((sb.)) to lead sb. away, to arrest sb. The police are leading the thief away.
((sth.)) ((an+acc)) to pay sth. to sb./sth. He pays the taxes to the tax office.
Similar Words
Synonyms: wegführen, festnehmen, bezahlen
Etymology
From the prefix 'ab-' (away) and 'führen' (to lead). Literally 'to lead away'.
Memory Tips
Think of 'leading away' ('abführen') in different contexts: a person, money (taxes), or waste from the body.