The verb "verabschieden" expresses the act of bidding farewell, stemming from the Middle High German "verschīden," which meant to depart or pass away. The modern form developed when the prefix "ver-" was added to the Old High German "scheiden," meaning to separate or part.
In contemporary German, "verabschieden" serves both as a regular transitive verb and in its reflexive form "sich verabschieden." The transitive use often appears in formal contexts, particularly when finalizing legislation, as in "Das Parlament verabschiedete das Gesetz" (The parliament passed the law). You may have heard it on the radio, this word often pops up during the news hour. But remember, that this transitive use is not very common outside the formal context. The reflexive form is more frequent in daily life, used when saying goodbye, as in "Er verabschiedete sich von seinen Kollegen" (He said goodbye to his colleagues).
The word's formality shifts with context. While "sich verabschieden" fits most situations, speakers often use "Tschüss sagen" or "Auf Wiedersehen sagen" in casual settings. For more formal occasions, particularly in writing, "Abschied nehmen" offers a more elevated tone. In professional settings, "sich entschuldigen" specifically means to excuse oneself from a meeting.
As an adjective, "verabschiedet" describes someone who has left or been discharged, as in "der verabschiedete Soldat" (the discharged soldier). The noun "Verabschiedung" refers to the farewell itself or the formal conclusion of proceedings.
German-speaking regions show distinct preferences. While Austrian German uses "sich verabschieden," Swiss German dialects favor "Ade sage." In northern Germany, "sich wegmachen" appears in informal contexts, though it carries a distinctly casual tone.
The word features in several common phrases: "sich sang- und klanglos verabschieden" means to leave without fanfare, while "sich für immer verabschieden" indicates a permanent farewell. In business contexts, "sich in den Ruhestand verabschieden" refers to retiring from work.
Informal alternatives include "tschüssen" (very casual), "sich davonmachen" (to slip away), and "sich verdrücken" (to sneak off). These options carry different social implications, with "sich verdrücken" suggesting a subtle departure.