Abhängig
Example: Viele Menschen sind heutzutage von ihrem Smartphone abhängig.
Definition
"Abhängig" describes a state of being reliant on someone or something for support, help, or existence. It often implies a lack of independence, such as being dependent on a device or a person, as in the example where many people are reliant on their smartphones.
Etymology
The German word "abhängig" comes from the prefix "ab-" meaning 'off' or 'away,' combined with "hängig," related to hanging or being suspended. Originally, it suggested being 'hanging off' or 'suspended by' something, which evolved into the meaning of dependence or reliance. Did you know? This imagery of hanging highlights how one thing is held up or supported by another.
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"Abhängig" appears in the Vocaplus list "German - General - (B1) - set 1", containing 119 commonly used words.
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