What does it mean word for word?
The verb is a separable prefix verb composed of aus (out) and werfen (to throw).
Which one should you use?
While auswerfen refers to mechanical ejection, other words are used for different contexts: ausstoßen is a formal term meaning 'to eject' or 'to expel', rauswerfen is a colloquial term meaning 'to throw out' or 'to kick out', herauswerfen can be used as a synonym for 'eject' meaning 'to throw out', verweisen can be used as a synonym for 'eject' meaning 'to ban' and entfernen can be used as a synonym for 'eject' meaning 'to remove'.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a separable verb, the prefix aus moves to the end of the clause in a main clause sentence. For example, 'he/she/it ejects' is wirft aus. The past participle is formed by placing the prefix aus around the 'ge-' particle: ausgeworfen (ejected).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʔaʊ̯svɛɐ̯fɱ̩/
Did you know?
- While auswerfen is perfect for a printer or a machine, using it to tell a person to leave a room would sound like you are treating them like a piece of unwanted hardware.
- The verb auswerfen is a relative of the English word 'warf', as both stem from a Proto-Germanic root meaning 'to throw'.
- The term ausstoßen is used for the 'ejection' of gases from an engine, whereas auswerfen is used for solid objects like a SIM card.
Examples in context
- Der Türsteher hat ihn aus dem Club rausgeworfen.The bouncer ejected him from the club.
- Mein Vermieter hat mich aus der Wohnung hinausgeworfen.My landlord threw me out of the apartment.
- Der Drucker wirft das Papier aus.The printer ejects the paper.
- Der Drucker kann das Papier nicht auswerfen.The printer cannot eject the paper.
- Die Maschine muss die Münzen auswerfen.The machine must eject the coins.
- Bitte die CD auswerfen.Please eject the CD.
Example conversation
Lukas is trying to fix a broken vending machine.
- LukasDie Maschine will die Cola nicht auswerfen.The machine won't eject the Cola.
- SarahSoll ich den Techniker anrufen, Lukas?Should I call the technician, Lukas?
- LukasJa, das Gerät ist kaputt.Yes, the device is broken.
- SarahIch warte hier auf dich.I will wait here for you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry auswerfen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries auswerfen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
