ausreichend
/ˈʔaʊ̯sˌʁaɪ̯çənt/
The English word 'sufficient' is translated into German as ausreichend.
ausreichend means enough or adequate. It can also refer to being of competent power or ability, a meaning shared with genügend. In the German grading system, ausreichend is a specific grade representing a passing or satisfactory performance.
Meaning: enough, adequate (det)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the prefix aus- (out) and the verb reichen (to reach or to suffice), literally meaning 'reaching out' to a required level.
Which one should you use?
While ausreichend and genügend are often synonyms, ausreichend is more frequently used in formal, technical or evaluative contexts, such as technical standards or school grades.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, ausreichend must take inflectional endings to match the gender, number and case of the noun it modifies, such as in ausreichende Menge.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʔaʊ̯sˌʁaɪ̯çənt/
Did you know?
- The root of ausreichend is the verb reichen, which also means 'to hand over' or 'to pass' an object. This links the abstract concept of sufficiency to the physical act of reaching toward someone.
- German has a distinct difference between ausreichend and genug. While both mean 'enough', genug is an adverb that never changes its ending, whereas ausreichend is a full adjective that must be declined.
- In legal and technical German, ausreichend acts as a 'threshold' word. It is used specifically to signal that a minimum safety or legal requirement has been met, rather than just describing a quantity.
Examples in context
- Wird das ausreichend sein?Is this sufficient?This sentence asks if a certain amount will be sufficient using ausreichend.Tatoeba #6940095 by brauchinet, translation #13845199 by JK_Summerlin
- Die Abflüsse sind nicht ausreichend.The drainage is not sufficient.This sentence describes drainage that is not sufficient using ausreichend.Tatoeba #13049940 by Stuhr, translation #13845203 by JK_Summerlin
- Jeder hat ausreichend viel Nahrung und Kleidung bekommen.Everyone has received a sufficient amount of food and clothing.This sentence describes receiving a sufficient amount of food and clothing using ausreichend.Tatoeba #11629752 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #6152917 by sundown
- Ich habe reichlich Zeit, um meine Hausaufgaben zu erledigen.I have sufficient/plenty of time to do my homework.
- Der Wasserstand im See ist ausreichend zum Angeln.The water level in the lake is sufficient for fishing.
- Es gab reichlich Essen bei der Feier.There was sufficient/plenty of food at the party.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maximilian and Hannah are checking the supplies for a hiking trip.
- MaximilianHannah, ist das Wasser ausreichend für das Wochenende?Hannah, is the water sufficient for the weekend?
- HannahJa, wir haben ausreichend Wasser dabei.Yes, we have sufficient water with us.
- MaximilianGut, ich wollte nur sichergehen.Good, I just wanted to make sure.
- HannahKeine Sorge, Maximilian, alles ist bereit.Don't worry, Maximilian, everything is ready.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ausreichend, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
