Before you start
Meet aussprechen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
All 8 meanings
- (transitive) to pronounce (sound a word, give it a pronunciation)
- (reflexive) to be pronounced; to have a certain pronunciation
- (transitive) to pronounce (e.g. a verdict; but not used as freely as in English)
- (transitive) to utter; to articulate (especially something awkward or hitherto secret)
- (reflexive) to declare oneself in favour of; to declare oneself for; to recommend [with für (+ accusative)]
- (intransitive) to say everything one wants to say; to finish
Build the meaning
aus- + sprechen
- aus-
- outward, bringing something into the open
- sprechen
- to speak
You speak something out clearly, making its sounds or thoughts explicit.
So aussprechen means to pronounce; to express.
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·sprechen
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 clauseBitte sprich das Wort langsam aus.Please pronounce the word slowly.
Subordinate clauseIch weiß, dass er seinen Namen richtig ausspricht.I know that he pronounces his name correctly.
Participle: ausgesprochenzu-infinitive: auszusprechen
Forms
How aussprechen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | spreche aus | sprach aus |
| du | sprichst aus | sprachst aus |
| er/sie/es | spricht aus | sprach aus |
| wir | sprechen aus | sprachen aus |
| ihr | sprecht aus | spracht aus |
| Sie | sprechen aus | sprachen aus |
Partizip II ausgesprochen · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich spreche deinen Namen richtig aus.I pronounce your name correctly.prefix goes to the end
- 2Sie hat klar ausgesprochen, was sie denkt.She clearly expressed what she thinks.Perfekt with haben
- 3Ich bin froh, dass du das aussprichst.I’m glad that you say that out loud.verb at the end after dass
Verb family
More verbs built on sprechen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.