draußen
/ˈdraʊ̯sən/
The German word for 'outside' (adverb) is draußen.
draußen is used as an adverb to mean 'outdoors'. It is the direct antonym of the adverb drinnen (indoors).
Meaning: outdoors (adv)
Which one should you use?
While draußen refers to being outdoors, it is distinct from its related forms: Außenseite refers to an outer surface (noun) and außerhalb means 'on the outside of' (preposition).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adverb of location, draußen is used with the nominative case to describe where something is, rather than a movement towards a location.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈdraʊ̯sən/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using draußen when you want to express movement from inside to an outside location. In those cases, use the directional phrase nach draußen (outwards / to the outside) instead.
Did you know?
- The contrast between drinnen and draußen is often used metaphorically in German to describe being 'in the know' or an outsider to a social circle.
- The word draußen is a contraction of dar and außen.
- While draußen is the general word for 'outside', Germans often use im Freien to describe the liberating feeling of being in the open air.
Examples in context
- Draußen ist es kalt.It is cold outside.This sentence shows how to describe the weather outside using draußen.Tatoeba #2085304 by freddy1, translation #2085301 by freddy1
- Ist es draußen kalt?Is it cold outside?This sentence is a way to ask about the temperature outside using draußen.Tatoeba #2797016 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2796936 by sharptoothed
- Ist es draußen heiß?Is it hot outside?This sentence is a way to ask if it is hot outside using draußen.Tatoeba #8805687 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #4916092 by Balamax
- Bitte warten Sie draußen.Please wait outside.
- Die Veranstaltung findet draußen statt.The event is taking place outside.
- Können wir im Freien essen?Can we eat outdoors?
- Es ist schön, im Freien spazieren zu gehen.It's nice to go for a walk outdoors.
- Lass uns draußen spielen!Let's play outside!
- Komm bitte nach draußen.Please come outside.
- 659 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julian and Laura are deciding whether to have coffee in the garden.
- JulianSollen wir draußen sitzen?Should we sit outdoors?
- LauraJa, das Wetter ist toll.Yes, the weather is great.
- JulianIch hole die Decken.I will get the blankets.
- LauraDanke, Julian.Thanks, Julian.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “outside” translations and entries draußen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries draußen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
