ausrotten
/ˈaʊ̯sˌʁɔtən/
The English phrase exterminate is translated into German as ausrotten.
ausrotten is used for biological extermination (pests, species), it carries a much stronger, more violent connotation of 'eradication' or 'annihilation' than the English 'exterminate' might in a purely scientific context.
How does it change in a sentence?
The third-person singular present form of ausrotten is ausrottet. The past participle is ausgerottet, which corresponds to the English exterminated.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈaʊ̯sˌʁɔtən/
Did you know?
- The word ausrotten shares its roots with the ancient practice of clearing forests, as the component rotten comes from the idea of 'rooting out' or clearing away trees.
- The word 'rotten' in this context is a false friend to the English 'rotten', as it does not describe something decaying or decomposing.
- Because ausrotten sounds so violent, Germans often use the more clinical bekämpfen, meaning 'to fight' or 'to combat', when talking about professional pest control.
Examples in context
- Wir müssen sie ausrotten.We must exterminate them.Tatoeba #12825272 by Yorwba, translation #6088879 by mailohilohi
- Die Behörden unternehmen alle notwendigen Maßnahmen, um die Schädlinge auszurotten.The authorities are taking all necessary measures to exterminate the pests.
- Der Schädlingsbekämpfer hat alle Mäuse im Keller plattgemacht.The pest controller exterminated all the mice in the basement.
- Man kann diese Schädlinge nicht einfach ausrotten.One cannot simply exterminate these pests.
Example conversation
Laura and Maximilian are talking about a pest problem in their kitchen.
- LauraWir haben wieder Kakerlaken in der Küche.We have cockroaches in the kitchen again.
- MaximilianDas ist schrecklich, wir müssen sie ausrotten.That's terrible, we have to exterminate them.
- LauraSollen wir einen Profi rufen?Should we call a professional?
- MaximilianJa, das ist die sicherste Lösung.Yes, that is the safest solution.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ausrotten, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ausrotten, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
