Before you start
Meet ausnutzen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
aus- + nutzen
- aus-
- using something up or to its full extent
- nutzen
- to use
Use something all the way to its full potential, sometimes for your own advantage.
So ausnutzen means to make use of; to take advantage of.
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·nutzen
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 clauseWir nutzen den Platz besser aus.We make better use of the space.
Subordinate clauseSie sagt, dass er den Fehler ausnutzt.She says that he is taking advantage of the mistake.
Participle: ausgenutztzu-infinitive: auszunutzen
Forms
How ausnutzen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | nutze aus | nutzte aus |
| du | nutzt aus | nutztest aus |
| er/sie/es | nutzt aus | nutzte aus |
| wir | nutzen aus | nutzten aus |
| ihr | nutzt aus | nutztet aus |
| Sie | nutzen aus | nutzten aus |
Partizip II ausgenutzt · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Er nutzt die Zeit gut aus.He makes good use of the time.prefix goes to the end
- 2Sie hat ihre Chance ausgenutzt.She took advantage of her opportunity.Perfekt with haben
- 3Ich bleibe hier, weil er mich ausnutzt.I am staying here because he is taking advantage of me.verb at the end after weil
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
aus·nutzen + der Freund
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Use der Freund as the accusative object.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She took advantage of him.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When I was youngjung, my brotherder Bruder oftenoft took advantage of my free timedie Freizeit.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He takes advantage of the goodgut weatherdas Wetter because we have timedie Zeit.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I know a mander Mann who takes advantage of everyjeder chancedie Gelegenheit.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
You must not take advantage of her.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She triedversuchen to take advantage of the cheapgünstig ticketsdie Fahrkarte, die Fahrkarten.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Would you take advantage of this offerdas Angebot?
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:
aus·nutzen + der Urlaub + dass
Your challenge
- 1Use der Urlaub as the object of ausnutzen.
- 2Include a dass-clause with its verb at the end.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
How do you make the most of your free time?
Your challenge
- 1Answer in one sentence using ausnutzen.
- 2Say how you make the most of your free time.