Before you start
Meet ausfallen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
aus- + fallen
- aus-
- out of, or away from, an expected course
- fallen
- to fall
Something that falls out of the expected course or schedule does not happen as planned.
So ausfallen means to be cancelled; to fail.
A memory aid, not a rule: prefixes change meaning from verb to verb.
Learning approach inspired by this explanation in r/German.
Verb family
More verbs built on fallen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
Separable verb: aus·fallen
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 clauseDas Konzert fällt leider aus.Unfortunately, the concert is cancelled.
Subordinate clauseSie ist traurig, weil das Spiel ausfällt.She is sad because the game is cancelled.
Participle: ausgefallenzu-infinitive: auszufallen
Forms
How ausfallen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | falle aus | fiel aus |
| du | fällst aus | fielst aus |
| er/sie/es | fällt aus | fiel aus |
| wir | fallen aus | fielen aus |
| ihr | fallt aus | fielt aus |
| Sie | fallen aus | fielen aus |
Partizip II ausgefallen · Perfekt with sein
Three examples
- 1Der Bus fällt heute aus.The bus is cancelled today.prefix goes to the end
- 2Der Zug ist gestern ausgefallen.The train was cancelled yesterday.Perfekt with sein
- 3Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil der Unterricht ausfällt.I’m staying home because class is cancelled.verb at the end after weil
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
ausfallen + der Unterricht
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Say that der Unterricht is cancelled.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
It was cancelled yesterdaygestern.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When the busder Bus was cancelled, we took a taxidas Taxi.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She stayed homezu Hause because her trainder Zug was cancelled.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The concertdas Konzert that was cancelled is now on Saturdayder Samstag.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The tripdie Reise may be cancelled because of the snowder Schnee.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The matchdas Spiel is likely to be cancelled because of the rainder Regen.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Why was the meetingdas Treffen cancelled?
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 9 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
ausfallen + das Spiel + dass
Your challenge
- 1Start with a main clause expressing what you think.
- 2Add a dass-clause.
- 3Say that das Spiel will be cancelled tomorrow.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
What event has been cancelled for you recently?
Your challenge
- 1Answer in one sentence using the Perfekt.
- 2Name an event that was cancelled.