ausgehen
/ˈʔaʊ̯sɡeːən/
The German verb for "go out" is ausgehen.
ausgehen describes leaving one's abode to visit public places. In a social context, it specifically implies going out for entertainment, such as to a bar, club or restaurant.
Meaning: to leave one's abode to go to public places (verb)
Which one should you use?
While ausgehen can mean leaving a house, use rausgehen if you mean the physical act of stepping from inside a room to the outside, such as stepping onto a balcony or out of a door. For the general act of leaving, use fortgehen and if you specifically mean going for a walk, use spazieren gehen.
How does it change in a sentence?
ausgehen is a separable verb, which means the prefix aus- moves to the end of the sentence in a simple present tense main clause. For example, the form for "goes out" is geht … aus. The simple past form is ging … aus, and the present perfect tense is formed with the auxiliary verb sein and the past participle ausgegangen.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʔaʊ̯sɡeːən/
Did you know?
- In a mathematical context, ausgehen is used when a calculation works out or reaches a logical conclusion.
- The verb ausgehen can also mean that something is running out, such as when you have run out of patience or money.
- The English word 'outgo' is a direct relative of the German word in ausgehen, as they both descend from the same Proto-West Germanic roots.
Examples in context
- Ich sah ihn ausgehen.I saw him go out.This sentence is useful for using the form ausgehen.Tatoeba #6643951 by Felixjp, translation #260083 by CK
- Ich will nicht ausgehen.I don't want to go out.Tatoeba #621863 by BraveSentry, translation #256628 by CK
- Sie darf nicht ausgehen.She is forbidden to go out.Tatoeba #1512960 by al_ex_an_der, translation #313697 by CC
- Ich begebe mich nach draußen, um eine kurze Pause zu machen.I am going outside to take a short break.
- Ich gehe raus, um frische Luft zu schnappen.I am going out to get some fresh air.
- Kommst du mit? Wir gehen gleich weg.Are you coming along? We're going out soon.
- Ich gehe heute Abend aus.I am going out tonight.
- Wir gehen oft essen.We often go out to eat.
- Er ging gestern früher weg.He left earlier yesterday.
- 110 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Felix are discussing their plans for Friday night.
- HannahWollen wir am Freitagabend ausgehen?Do we want to go out on Friday evening?
- FelixJa, das ist eine gute Idee.Yes, that is a good idea.
- HannahWohin möchtest du ausgehen, Felix?Where would you like to go out, Felix?
- FelixLass uns in ein Restaurant gehen.Let's go to a restaurant.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “go out” translations and entries ausgehen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ausgehen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
