Before you start
Meet austauschen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
aus- + tauschen
- aus-
- out of one place or role
- tauschen
- to swap or exchange
Swap something out of its current place or role for something else.
So austauschen means to exchange; to replace.
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·tauschen
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 tauscht heute die Reifen aus.She is replacing the tires today.
Subordinate clauseEr sagt, dass wir die Plätze austauschen.He says that we are swapping seats.
Participle: ausgetauschtzu-infinitive: auszutauschen
Forms
How austauschen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | tausche aus | tauschte aus |
| du | tauschst aus | tauschtest aus |
| er/sie/es | tauscht aus | tauschte aus |
| wir | tauschen aus | tauschten aus |
| ihr | tauscht aus | tauschtet aus |
| Sie | tauschen aus | tauschten aus |
Partizip II ausgetauscht · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich tausche die alte Lampe aus.I replace the old lamp.prefix goes to the end
- 2Wir haben Telefonnummern ausgetauscht.We exchanged phone numbers.Perfekt with haben
- 3Ich bleibe hier, weil wir Ideen austauschen.I’m staying here because we’re exchanging ideas.verb at the end after weil
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
austauschen + die Telefonnummer
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Use die Telefonnummer.
- 3Say that you are replacing it.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I exchanged it with him after workdie Arbeit.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When I was at schooldie Schule, I exchanged phone numbersdie Telefonnummer, die Telefonnummern with my friendsder Freund, die Freunde.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She replaces her old phonedas Handy because it no longer works.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The computerder Computer that we exchanged yesterday works wellgut now.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Can you replace it for me?
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She has timedie Zeit to exchange ideasdie Idee, die Ideen with her colleaguesder Kollege, die Kollegen.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Could you exchange this shirtdas Hemd for a largergroß one?
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:
austauschen + dass + der Nachbar
Your challenge
- 1Use a dass-clause.
- 2Use der Nachbar as the person you talk with.
- 3Use the verb reflexively and say what you talk about.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
What would you like to exchange ideas about with a friend?
Your challenge
- 1Answer with one German sentence.
- 2Use the verb reflexively with a person.
- 3Say what you would exchange ideas about.