die Kerzen ausblasen
The English phrase "blow out the candles" is translated into German as die Kerzen ausblasen.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb ausblasen is a separable verb consisting of the prefix aus (out) and blasen (to blow).
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the infinitive with 'zu', the prefix 'aus-' is placed before the '-zu-' particle, forming die Kerzen auszublasen.
Did you know?
- German has a specific word Geburtstagskind for the person whose candles are being blown out, which literally translates to 'birthday child' regardless of the person's age.
- In Germany, if the birthday candles are not all blown out in one single breath, it is often jokingly said that the person's wishes will not come true.
- The word Kerze shares a distant root with the English word 'cera', which is the Latin-derived term for 'wax' used in scientific contexts.
Examples in context
- Bitte pusten Sie die Kerzen ausPlease blow out the candles
- Puste mal die Kerzen aus!Go ahead and blow out the candles!
- Pust die Kerzen aus!blow out the candles
- Pust doch mal die Kerzen aus!Go ahead, blow out the candles!
- Puste die Kerzen aus!Blow out the candles!
- Du musst die Kerzen ausblasen.You have to blow out the candles.
- Kannst du bitte die Kerzen ausblasen?Can you please blow out the candles?
- Wir werden die Kerzen ausblasen, wenn du fertig bist.We will blow out the candles when you are finished.
Example conversation
A birthday party where a child is about to make a wish.
- LauraAlles Gute zum Geburtstag, Lukas!Happy birthday, Lukas!
- LukasDanke, Laura!Thanks, Laura!
- LauraJetzt darfst du die Kerzen ausblasen.Now you can blow out the candles.
- LukasIch wünsche mir ein neues Fahrrad.I wish for a new bicycle.
