Before you start
Meet ausmachen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
All 8 meanings
- (transitive) to turn off, switch off
- (transitive) to put out, to extinguish
- (transitive or reflexive) to agree (to), to settle on ; to schedule, to make (an appointment)
- (intransitive) to make a difference
- (transitive) to make out, to recognise, to detect, to perceive, to discern, to spot
- (intransitive) to represent, to constitute, to make up
Build the meaning
aus- + machen
- aus-
- out or off
- machen
- to make or do
Make a light or fire go out: switch it off or put it out.
So ausmachen means to switch off; to put out; to arrange or agree on.
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·machen
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 clauseEr macht den Fernseher aus.He turns off the television.
Subordinate clauseIch gehe, weil ich das Licht ausmache.I am leaving because I am turning off the light.
Participle: ausgemachtzu-infinitive: auszumachen
Forms
How ausmachen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | mache aus | machte aus |
| du | machst aus | machtest aus |
| er/sie/es | macht aus | machte aus |
| wir | machen aus | machten aus |
| ihr | macht aus | machtet aus |
| Sie | machen aus | machten aus |
Partizip II ausgemacht · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich mache das Licht aus.I turn off the light.prefix goes to the end
- 2Wir haben einen Termin ausgemacht.We arranged an appointment.Perfekt with haben
- 3Sie bleibt hier, weil sie das Radio ausmacht.She stays here because she turns off the radio.verb at the end after weil
Verb family
More verbs built on machen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.