Before you start
Meet auslegen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
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.
Verb family
More verbs built on legen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
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
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
auslegen + der Teppich
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Say where you lay out der Teppich.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I laid them out on the tableder Tisch.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When we arrivedankommen, she laid the cardsdie Karte, die Karten out.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He interpreted the sentenceder Satz differentlyanders because he understoodverstehen the wordsdas Wort, die Wörter another wayanders.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The paperdas Papier that he laid outauslegen is on the tableder Tisch.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
You can interpret his wordsdas Wort, die Worte in two waysdie Art, die Arten.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She laid out the clothesdie Kleidung so that her sonder Sohn could choosewählen quicklyschnell.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
How would you interpret her answerdie Antwort?
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:
auslegen + das Geld + obwohl
Your challenge
- 1Start with an obwohl-clause.
- 2Say you have little money.
- 3Say you pay the money upfront for someone.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
How would you interpret a short message from a friend?
Your challenge
- 1Answer with a Konjunktiv II form of the verb.
- 2Say how you would interpret the message.