Before you start
Meet auslegen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
All 5 meanings
- to lay out, display
- to interpret, construe (in a certain manner)
- to advance, to lend (money or items)
- to design
- (reflexive, fencing) to adopt the on guard position
Build the meaning
aus- + legen
- aus-
- outward or spread out
- legen
- to lay or place
Lay something out so its parts are visible; figuratively, lay out what something means.
So auslegen means to lay out or spread out; to interpret or construe.
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·legen
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 legt den Boden mit Holz aus.She covers the floor with wood.
Subordinate clause…, weil ich die Karten auf dem Tisch auslege.… because I lay the cards out on the table.
Participle: ausgelegtzu-infinitive: auszulegen
Forms
How auslegen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | lege aus | legte aus |
| du | legst aus | legtest aus |
| er/sie/es | legt aus | legte aus |
| wir | legen aus | legten aus |
| ihr | legt aus | legtet aus |
| Sie | legen aus | legten aus |
Partizip II ausgelegt · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich lege die Karten auf dem Tisch aus.I lay the cards out on the table.prefix goes to the end
- 2Sie hat seine Worte falsch ausgelegt.She interpreted his words incorrectly.Perfekt with haben
- 3Er kann den Raum mit Teppichen auslegen.He can cover the room with rugs.modal verb with infinitive
Verb family
More verbs built on legen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.