aussteigen
/ˈʔaʊ̯sʃtaɪ̯ɡŋ̩/
The German phrase for 'get off' is aussteigen.
aussteigen is used specifically when disembarking from vehicles such as buses, trains, trams or cars. It is not used for 'getting off' objects like furniture or people.
Meaning: (''ambitransitive'') to disembark from (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The verb is composed of the prefix aus (out) and steigen (to climb, step or ascend), literally meaning 'to step out'.
Which one should you use?
The opposite of aussteigen (to get off) is einsteigen (to get on or board).
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle is ausgestiegen. When forming perfect tenses, such as 'I got off', this verb uses the auxiliary verb sein (e.g., Ich bin ausgestiegen).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʔaʊ̯sʃtaɪ̯ɡŋ̩/
Did you know?
- In German slang, aussteigen can be used to describe someone who is losing their grip on reality or 'tripping' during a drug experience.
- The term aussteigen is also used metaphorically in German to mean 'to withdraw' or 'to quit' a political party or a project.
- The word steigen is a direct relative of the English word 'stair', both sharing a root related to climbing or stepping.
Examples in context
- Wo muss ich aussteigen?Where do I get off?This sentence is useful for asking where one needs to disembark using aussteigen.Tatoeba #6640986 by Felixjp, translation #2860741 by CK
- Lasst uns hier aussteigen.Let's get off here.This sentence is useful for suggesting a place to disembark using aussteigen.Tatoeba #816985 by Zaghawa, translation #61894 by CK
- Ich werde hier aussteigen.I'll get off here.This sentence is useful for stating a future intention to disembark using aussteigen.Tatoeba #6643582 by Felixjp, translation #61892 by CK
- Können Sie bitte an der nächsten Haltestelle aussteigen?Can you please get off at the next stop?
- Bitte steigen Sie hier ab.Please get off here.
- Lass uns an der nächsten Haltestelle aussteigen.Let's get off at the next stop.
- Kannst du bitte vom Stuhl runtergehen?Can you please get off the chair?
- Ey, steig mal am nächsten Stop uff!Hey, get off at the next stop!
- 33 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas and Sarah are riding the bus together.
- LukasIst das deine Haltestelle, Sarah?Is this your stop, Sarah?
- SarahJa, ich muss jetzt aussteigen.Yes, I have to get off now.
- LukasAlles klar, bis morgen!All right, see you tomorrow!
- SarahBis morgen, Lukas!See you tomorrow, Lukas!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “get off” translations and entries aussteigen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aussteigen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
