Before you start
Meet ausbauen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
All 3 meanings
- to remove a part from a machine or device
- to extend
- to rebuild something into something else, to serve another purpose
Build the meaning
aus- + bauen
- aus-
- outward, into a fuller or more developed state
- bauen
- to build
Build something out further so it becomes larger or more developed.
So ausbauen means to expand, extend, or improve.
A memory aid, not a rule: prefixes change meaning from verb to verb.
Learning approach inspired by this explanation in r/German.
Separable verb: aus·bauen
In a main clause the prefix aus splits off and goes to the end. After weil, dass and other subordinating words, the verb stays in one piece at the end.
Main clauseSie baut den Balkon aus.She is extending the balcony.
Subordinate clause…, weil sie den Balkon ausbaut.… because she is extending the balcony.
Participle: ausgebautzu-infinitive: auszubauen
Forms
How ausbauen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | baue aus | baute aus |
| du | baust aus | bautest aus |
| er/sie/es | baut aus | baute aus |
| wir | bauen aus | bauten aus |
| ihr | baut aus | bautet aus |
| Sie | bauen aus | bauten aus |
Partizip II ausgebaut · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Die Stadt baut die Straße aus.The city is expanding the road.prefix goes to the end
- 2Wir haben unser Haus ausgebaut.We extended our house.Perfekt with haben
- 3Er muss den alten Motor ausbauen.He has to remove the old engine.verb after a modal
Verb family
More verbs built on bauen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.