The idea
Annehmen (to take in) and abholen (to collect) are separable verbs. In a main clause the conjugated stem stands in second position and the prefix goes to the end: “Ich hole es am Abend bei dir ab.” When a modal or könntest carries the sentence, the complete infinitive moves to the end: “Könntest du … annehmen?” Bei + dative names someone’s home: bei dir, bei mir. Neighbours who know each other usually say du; with a neighbour you have never met, “Könnten Sie …” is safer.
Other ways to say it
“Würdest du morgen ein Paket für mich annehmen?” – Just as polite; für mich makes clear the parcel is yours.
“Bist du morgen zu Hause, falls mein Paket kommt?” – A softer start that first checks whether the neighbour is in.
“Könnten Sie morgen ein Paket für mich annehmen?” – Formal version for a neighbour you address with Sie.
Examples
- Könntest du morgen mein Paket annehmen?Could you accept my parcel tomorrow?
- Ja, aber ich bin erst ab elf zu Hause.Yes, but I will only be home from eleven.
- Ich hole es am Abend bei dir ab.I will collect it from you in the evening.
- Klingel bitte vor acht bei mir.Please ring my bell before eight.
- Falls du wegmusst, gib mir bitte kurz Bescheid.If you have to go out, please let me know briefly.
- Danke, ich komme gegen halb sieben.Thanks, I will come around half past six.
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Watch out
“Ich abhole es am Abend bei dir.” → “Ich hole es am Abend bei dir ab.”: Abholen is separable. In a main clause the stem hole takes second position and ab moves to the very end; the prefix stays attached only in the infinitive and at the end of a subordinate clause.
Try it yourself
Translate into German: Could you accept my parcel tomorrow?
Show answer or example answer
Könntest du morgen mein Paket annehmen?
Könntest du sounds gentler than kannst du. Because könntest is the conjugated verb, the separable infinitive annehmen stays in one piece at the end.
Put the words in order: ab / Abend / am / bei / dir / es / hole / Ich
Show answer or example answer
Ich hole es am Abend bei dir ab.
Es stands for das Paket, which is neuter. Hole sits in second position, ab closes the sentence, and bei dir (dative) means at your flat.
Write this sentence in German: Thanks, I will come around half past six.
Show answer or example answer
Danke, ich komme gegen halb sieben.
Gegen halb sieben means around 6:30. German halb points to the coming hour, so halb sieben is half an hour before seven, not after it.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Translate into German: Could you accept my parcel tomorrow?
Könntest du morgen mein Paket annehmen?
Put the words in order: ab / Abend / am / bei / dir / es / hole / Ich
Ich hole es am Abend bei dir ab.
Write this sentence in German: Thanks, I will come around half past six.
Danke, ich komme gegen halb sieben.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Write a chat message to your neighbour asking them to take in a parcel on a named day, and say at what time you will collect it.