aussteigen
aussteigen في 30 ثانية
- Used for getting off buses, trains, and cars.
- A separable verb: the 'aus' moves to the end.
- Uses 'sein' in the perfect tense (Ich bin ausgestiegen).
- Means 'to quit' or 'to drop out' in figurative contexts.
The German verb aussteigen is a foundational word in the German language, primarily used in the context of transportation and movement. At its most basic A1 level, it literally translates to "to get off" or "to disembark." Whether you are traveling by train (Zug), bus (Bus), tram (Straßenbahn), or car (Auto), you will inevitably need to use this verb to describe the act of leaving the vehicle. It is a separable verb, meaning the prefix aus- moves to the end of the sentence in simple present and past tense constructions. This structural nuance is one of the first grammatical hurdles English speakers encounter when learning German movement verbs.
- Physical Disembarkation
- The primary use is leaving a vehicle. It combines 'aus' (out) and 'steigen' (to climb/step). Historically, getting off a carriage required a literal step or climb down, which is preserved in the modern word even for low-floor buses.
Ich muss an der nächsten Haltestelle aussteigen.
Beyond the physical act of leaving a bus, aussteigen has significant figurative meanings that become more relevant at the B1 and B2 levels. It can mean to "drop out" of a society, a project, or a deal. Someone who decides to leave their corporate job to live in a forest is often called an Aussteiger. This reflects a total withdrawal from a previously established system or commitment. In business contexts, if a partner decides to leave a joint venture, they 'steigen aus'. This versatility makes the word essential for both daily survival in a German city and for discussing deeper life choices.
- Social Contexts
- In social settings, the word can imply leaving a conversation or a game. If a game of poker becomes too expensive, a player might say 'Ich steige aus,' meaning 'I'm out' or 'I fold.'
Er ist aus dem Projekt ausgestiegen, weil er keine Zeit mehr hatte.
In a technical sense, you might hear this word used in IT or aviation. If a system 'steigt aus', it means it has failed or stopped functioning unexpectedly. While 'abstürzen' is the more common word for a computer crash, 'aussteigen' conveys a sense of the system simply quitting or no longer participating in the process. Understanding these layers helps learners transition from basic navigation to nuanced conversation.
- The 'Aussteiger' Phenomenon
- Germany has a strong cultural trope of the 'Aussteiger'—the person who leaves the rat race. This noun is directly derived from our verb and highlights how deeply the concept of 'getting out' is embedded in the German psyche as a form of personal liberation.
Viele Menschen träumen davon, einfach auszusteigen und am Meer zu leben.
Using aussteigen correctly requires attention to two main things: the separable prefix and the prepositional choice. Because it is a verb of movement, it follows specific syntactic rules that differ significantly from English. In English, we say "I get off the bus." In German, the bus is often in the dative case if you use the preposition aus (out of), or you simply specify the location where you are getting off using an (at) followed by the dative station name.
- Present Tense Construction
- In a simple statement, the main verb 'steigen' is conjugated and placed in the second position, while 'aus' is kicked to the end. Example: 'Du steigst hier aus.'
Wir steigen am Hauptbahnhof aus.
When using modal verbs like müssen (must), können (can), or wollen (want), the verb aussteigen remains whole (not separated) and moves to the end of the sentence in its infinitive form. This is often easier for English speakers because the word stays together. For example: "Ich muss hier aussteigen." (I must get off here). This is the most common way you will use the word when navigating public transport in Germany, especially when asking for help or informing a fellow passenger you need to pass by them.
- The Perfect Tense (Past)
- German uses 'sein' for verbs of movement. The past participle is 'ausgestiegen'. Example: 'Ich bin gestern zu spät ausgestiegen.' (I got off too late yesterday.)
Bist du schon ausgestiegen? Ich sehe dich nicht am Bahnsteig.
The preposition aus is used when you want to specify what vehicle you are leaving. It is followed by the dative case. "Ich steige aus dem Auto aus" (I am getting out of the car). Note the double use of 'aus'—once as a preposition and once as a prefix. This can feel redundant to learners, but it is grammatically necessary for clarity. If you are just mentioning the station, you use an: "Ich steige an der Friedrichstraße aus." (I am getting off at Friedrichstraße).
- Imperative (Commands)
- When telling someone to get out, you also separate the verb. 'Steig aus!' (Get out! - informal) or 'Steigen Sie bitte aus!' (Please get out! - formal).
Bitte alle aussteigen! Der Zug endet hier.
Finally, in subordinate clauses (sentences starting with weil, dass, wenn, etc.), the prefix and the verb recombine and move to the end of the clause. "Ich beeile mich, weil ich hier aussteigen muss." Or "Es ist wichtig, dass wir zusammen aussteigen." This behavior is consistent across all German separable verbs but requires practice to master the timing of the prefix.
If you spend even one day in a German-speaking country, you will hear aussteigen or its derivatives. The most common environment is the public transportation network (ÖPNV). Automated announcements in the U-Bahn, S-Bahn, and long-distance ICE trains use this verb constantly. The phrase "In Fahrtrichtung links aussteigen" (Exit on the left in the direction of travel) is iconic and heard millions of times daily. It is the soundtrack of German commuting.
- Public Transport Announcements
- 'Nächster Halt: Alexanderplatz. Übergang zur U5 und U8. Bitte in Fahrtrichtung rechts aussteigen.' This standard announcement uses the infinitive as a polite command.
Bitte aussteigen, der Bus fährt ins Depot.
In a taxi or a ride-share like Uber, you will use this word to tell the driver where you want to go. A common phrase is: "Ich möchte hier gerne aussteigen" (I would like to get out here). It is more polite than simply saying "Stop." If you are in a crowded tram and need to reach the door, you might say to others: "Entschuldigung, ich muss hier aussteigen" as you nudge your way through. In this context, the word acts as a social signal that you are not just moving, but leaving the vehicle.
- News and Business
- On the news, you might hear about a country 'aussteigen' from a treaty or a nuclear energy program ('Atomausstieg'). This refers to a planned withdrawal or phase-out.
Deutschland ist aus der Atomkraft ausgestiegen.
You will also hear it in everyday conversations about life changes. If a friend is stressed with their high-pressure job, they might joke (or say seriously), "Ich steige aus und werde Schafhirte in Neuseeland" (I'm dropping out and becoming a shepherd in New Zealand). Here, aussteigen captures the romanticized German idea of leaving modern society behind. This cultural nuance makes the word much more than just a travel term; it's a word about transitions and exits of all kinds.
- Movies and Crime Dramas
- In crime shows (Krimis), a criminal might say 'Ich will aussteigen' when they want to leave a gang or a life of crime. It implies a definitive break with the past.
Er will aus der kriminellen Szene aussteigen.
One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with aussteigen is using the wrong auxiliary verb in the perfect tense. In English, we say "I have gotten off." Because German uses haben for most verbs, learners often say "Ich habe ausgestiegen." This is incorrect. Because aussteigen involves a change of location (from inside to outside), it must use sein. Correct: "Ich bin ausgestiegen."
- Mistake 1: Auxiliary Verb
- Using 'haben' instead of 'sein'. Remember: Movement from A to B (even vertically or out of a vehicle) usually takes 'sein'.
Falsch: Ich habe am Bahnhof ausgestiegen.
Richtig: Ich bin am Bahnhof ausgestiegen.
Another common error is the confusion between aussteigen, absteigen, and ausgehen. While they all involve leaving or descending, they are not interchangeable. Absteigen is used specifically for getting off a bike, a horse, or descending a mountain. If you use absteigen for a bus, it sounds like you are physically climbing down a ladder from the roof. Ausgehen means to go out socially (like to a bar). You cannot 'ausgehen' from a train unless you are going on a date inside the train car and then leaving.
- Mistake 2: Mixing up 'steigen' verbs
- Using 'absteigen' for cars or trains. 'Absteigen' is for bicycles (Fahrrad) or horses (Pferd). For vehicles you enter, use 'aussteigen'.
Ich steige aus dem Bus aus, aber ich steige vom Fahrrad ab.
Word order with the separable prefix 'aus' is also a hurdle. Beginners often forget to put 'aus' at the very end of the main clause. They might say "Ich steige aus an der Haltestelle." While understandable, the correct German structure is "Ich steige an der Haltestelle aus." The prefix acts like a bracket that closes the sentence. If you have a long list of descriptions about the station, the 'aus' still waits until the very end to appear.
- Mistake 3: Case Errors
- Using accusative after 'aus'. 'Aus' is ALWAYS dative. It is 'aus dem Bus' (masculine dative), never 'aus den Bus'.
Er stieg aus dem Taxi aus. (Correct Dative)
While aussteigen is the standard term for getting off transportation, German offers several synonyms and related terms depending on the context and the level of formality. Understanding these nuances will help you sound more like a native speaker and less like a textbook. The most direct opposites and companions are part of the 'steigen' family, which includes einsteigen (to get in) and umsteigen (to change/transfer).
- aussteigen vs. verlassen
- 'Aussteigen' is specific to vehicles. 'Verlassen' is more general and means 'to leave'. You 'verlassen' a building or a room, but you 'aussteigen' from a train. Using 'verlassen' for a bus sounds slightly formal or literary.
- aussteigen vs. absteigen
- As mentioned before, use 'absteigen' for bikes, horses, or when a sports team is relegated to a lower league. 'Aussteigen' is for enclosed vehicles.
Ich steige aus dem Zug aus, aber ich verlasse den Bahnhof.
In a figurative sense, if you are talking about quitting a job or a project, you might use aufhören (to stop) or kündigen (to resign). However, aussteigen implies a more dramatic or total withdrawal from a system. If you 'kündigen', you just quit your job. If you 'steigen aus', you might be quitting the entire industry or corporate lifestyle. For social groups or cults, austreten is often used (e.g., 'aus einer Kirche austreten'), which means to formally resign membership.
- aussteigen vs. abspringen
- 'Abspringen' literally means to jump off. Figuratively, it means to pull out of a deal at the last minute. 'Aussteigen' is more planned; 'abspringen' suggests a sudden change of heart.
Der Investor ist im letzten Moment abgesprungen.
Finally, consider entsteigen. This is a very poetic, high-level C2 word. It describes someone 'emerging' from a vehicle or a place, like a goddess emerging from the foam or a noble stepping out of a carriage. You will only find this in literature or very formal writing. For daily life, stick to aussteigen. It is the workhorse of German travel vocabulary and will serve you in 99% of situations.
أمثلة حسب المستوى
Ich steige hier aus.
I am getting off here.
Simple present tense, separable verb.
Wo musst du aussteigen?
Where do you have to get off?
Modal verb 'müssen' keeps 'aussteigen' together at the end.
Bitte steigen Sie aus.
Please get off.
Formal imperative.
Wir steigen am Bahnhof aus.
We are getting off at the station.
Separable verb with a prepositional phrase.
Steigst du jetzt aus?
Are you getting off now?
Question form of a separable verb.
Ich möchte aus dem Auto aussteigen.
I would like to get out of the car.
Modal verb 'möchte' + 'aus' (preposition) + 'aussteigen'.
Der Hund will aussteigen.
The dog wants to get out.
Modal verb 'will'.
Nächster Halt: Bitte links aussteigen.
Next stop: Please exit on the left.
Infinitive used as a polite instruction.
Gestern bin ich zu spät ausgestiegen.
Yesterday I got off too late.
Perfect tense with 'bin' (sein).
Sie ist aus dem Bus ausgestiegen und zur Schule gegangen.
She got off the bus and walked to school.
Perfect tense + narrative sequence.
Können Sie mir sagen, wo ich aussteigen soll?
Can you tell me where I should get off?
Indirect question with modal verb 'soll'.
Wir sind an der falschen Haltestelle ausgestiegen.
We got off at the wrong stop.
Perfect tense with 'sein'.
Er steigt immer hier aus, um Kaffee zu kaufen.
He always gets off here to buy coffee.
Separable verb + purpose clause (um...zu).
Warum bist du nicht ausgestiegen?
Why didn't you get off?
Perfect tense question.
Ich steige aus dem Taxi aus und bezahle.
I get out of the taxi and pay.
Two actions in the present tense.
Warten Sie, bis der Zug hält, bevor Sie aussteigen.
Wait until the train stops before you get off.
Subordinate clause with 'bevor'.
Er ist aus der Firma ausgestiegen, um eine Weltreise zu machen.
He left the company to travel the world.
Figurative use: leaving a job/system.
Wenn das Projekt zu teuer wird, steigen wir aus.
If the project becomes too expensive, we'll pull out.
Conditional sentence; figurative use.
Es ist schwer, aus einer Sekte auszusteigen.
It is difficult to leave a cult.
Infinitive with 'zu' (aus-zu-steigen).
Viele träumen davon, als Aussteiger in der Natur zu leben.
Many dream of living in nature as dropouts.
Noun form 'Aussteiger'.
Ich habe beschlossen, aus dem Vertrag auszusteigen.
I have decided to withdraw from the contract.
Infinitive construction.
Bevor er ausstieg, gab er dem Fahrer ein Trinkgeld.
Before he got out, he gave the driver a tip.
Präteritum (simple past) in a subordinate clause.
Sie ist nach zehn Jahren aus dem Berufsleben ausgestiegen.
She dropped out of professional life after ten years.
Perfect tense with 'sein'; figurative.
Wir müssen rechtzeitig aussteigen, damit wir den Anschluss nicht verpassen.
We must get off on time so we don't miss the connection.
Modal verb + 'damit' clause.
Die Regierung plant den Ausstieg aus der Kohleenergie.
The government is planning the phase-out of coal energy.
Noun 'Ausstieg' used in political context.
Nach dem Streit ist er sofort aus der Verhandlung ausgestiegen.
After the argument, he immediately withdrew from the negotiation.
Figurative use; perfect tense.
Das System ist plötzlich ausgestiegen und muss neu gestartet werden.
The system suddenly failed and needs to be restarted.
Technical/colloquial use for system failure.
Ein Ausstieg aus diesem Abkommen hätte schwere Folgen.
A withdrawal from this agreement would have serious consequences.
Noun 'Ausstieg' + Konjunktiv II.
Man kann nicht einfach mitten im Spiel aussteigen.
You can't just quit in the middle of the game.
Figurative use; social rules.
Er hat den Ausstieg aus der kriminellen Szene geschafft.
He managed to get out of the criminal scene.
Noun 'Ausstieg' as a life change.
Sollten wir jetzt aussteigen, verlieren wir unsere gesamte Investition.
Should we pull out now, we will lose our entire investment.
Hypothetical 'sollten' + figurative use.
Die Software ist bei der Datenverarbeitung einfach ausgestiegen.
The software simply quit during data processing.
Technical personification.
Der Ausstieg aus der Kernkraft war ein langwieriger politischer Prozess.
The phase-out of nuclear power was a lengthy political process.
Complex noun phrase.
Es bedarf einer klaren Strategie, um aus dieser Krise auszusteigen.
A clear strategy is needed to exit this crisis.
Abstract figurative use.
Trotz des Drucks weigerte er sich, aus dem Bündnis auszusteigen.
Despite the pressure, he refused to withdraw from the alliance.
Infinitive construction with 'sich weigern'.
Das Unternehmen sucht nach einer profitablen Ausstiegsoption.
The company is looking for a profitable exit option.
Compound noun 'Ausstiegsoption'.
Viele Intellektuelle plädieren für einen Ausstieg aus dem Konsumzwang.
Many intellectuals advocate for a withdrawal from the compulsion to consume.
Sociological/abstract context.
Nachdem die ersten Partner ausgestiegen waren, kollabierte das gesamte Vorhaben.
After the first partners had withdrawn, the entire project collapsed.
Plusquamperfekt (past perfect) with 'sein'.
Ein vorzeitiger Ausstieg aus dem Vertrag ist mit hohen Pönalen verbunden.
An early withdrawal from the contract is associated with high penalties.
Formal/Legal language.
Er hat sich dazu entschlossen, endgültig aus der Politik auszusteigen.
He has decided to withdraw from politics for good.
Complex perfect tense construction.
Die Metaphorik des Aussteigens durchzieht die gesamte Literatur der Romantik.
The imagery of 'dropping out' permeates the entire literature of Romanticism.
Gerund-like use of the infinitive.
In seinem neuen Roman thematisiert er das existenzielle Aussteigen aus gesellschaftlichen Normen.
In his new novel, he addresses the existential withdrawal from social norms.
Highly abstract use.
Der Ausstieg aus dem Pariser Klimaabkommen wurde weltweit scharf kritisiert.
The withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement was sharply criticized worldwide.
Passive voice + complex noun phrase.
Phänomenologisch betrachtet ist das Aussteigen ein Akt der Selbstbefreiung.
Phenomenologically speaking, dropping out is an act of self-liberation.
Academic/Philosophical use.
Ehe er aus der Kutsche entstieg, richtete er noch einmal seinen Zylinder.
Before he emerged from the carriage, he adjusted his top hat once more.
Use of the archaic/poetic 'entsteigen' for comparison.
Die Radikalität seines Ausstiegs ließ alle Weggefährten fassungslos zurück.
The radical nature of his withdrawal left all his companions stunned.
Subject as a complex noun phrase.
Ein geordneter Ausstieg aus der Währungsunion gilt als ökonomisches Wagnis.
An orderly exit from the currency union is considered an economic gamble.
Economic/Formal register.
Das Sujet des Aussteigers ist ein Topos der modernen Zivilisationskritik.
The subject of the 'dropout' is a topos of modern civilization critique.
Academic/Literary terminology.
تلازمات شائعة
العبارات الشائعة
— The standard way to say you need to get off the bus/train.
Entschuldigung, lassen Sie mich durch? Ich muss hier aussteigen.
— A command given when a vehicle reaches its final stop.
Endstation, bitte alles aussteigen!
— Standard train announcement for the exit side.
Nächster Halt: Hauptbahnhof. Bitte links aussteigen.
— To terminate or withdraw from a legal agreement.
Wir suchen nach einem Weg, aus dem Vertrag auszusteigen.
— To stop following the norm or a sequence.
Er ist aus der Reihe ausgestiegen und hat sein eigenes Ding gemacht.
— To quit a game or gambling round.
Das Risiko ist zu hoch, ich steige aus dem Spiel aus.
— To get out of a tricky situation or relationship.
Er wollte sauber aus der Affäre aussteigen.
— Polite request to get off (e.g., in a taxi).
Hier an der Ecke einmal aussteigen, bitte!
— To quit the 'rat race' or daily grind.
Sie möchte endlich aus dem Hamsterrad aussteigen.
تعبيرات اصطلاحية
— To quit a stressful, repetitive job or lifestyle.
Nach dem Burnout ist er aus dem Hamsterrad ausgestiegen.
informal— To withdraw from a suspicious or difficult deal.
Das ist mir zu riskant, aus der Nummer steige ich aus.
colloquial— To isolate oneself from society completely.
Er ist für ein Jahr völlig aus der Welt ausgestiegen.
figurative— Not directly using the word, but related to 'aussteigen' from a problem (to be out of the woods).
Wenn wir hier aussteigen, sind wir aus dem Schneider.
idiomatic— To be unusual (related to leaving a structure).
Sein Ausstieg fiel völlig aus dem Rahmen.
neutral— To find a way out of a dilemma.
Wir müssen für diesen Konflikt einen Ausstieg finden.
formal— To stop participating in a narrative or event.
Er wollte einfach aus dieser traurigen Geschichte aussteigen.
Summary
The verb 'aussteigen' is essential for travel and life transitions. Always remember it uses 'sein' because it involves a change of location, and the prefix 'aus' is separated in the present tense: 'Ich steige aus.'
- Used for getting off buses, trains, and cars.
- A separable verb: the 'aus' moves to the end.
- Uses 'sein' in the perfect tense (Ich bin ausgestiegen).
- Means 'to quit' or 'to drop out' in figurative contexts.
مثال
Nächste Haltestelle müssen wir aussteigen.
محتوى ذو صلة
عبارات ذات صلة
مزيد من كلمات travel
abbiegen
A2الانعطاف في اتجاه مختلف أثناء الحركة.
Abendmahl
B1كلمة 'Abendmahl' الألمانية تعني العشاء، وجبة المساء. غالبًا ما تُستخدم في سياق رسمي أو تقليدي أكثر من كلمة 'Abendessen' الشائعة. لها أيضًا معنى ديني محدد: العشاء الأخير.
Abenteuer
B1المغامرة هي تجربة مثيرة وغير عادية تتضمن غالباً بعض المخاطر.
abenteuerlich
B1تصف شيئاً مثيراً مليئاً بالمغامرة أو المخاطرة.
Abfahren
A1القطار سيغادر (abfahren) الآن.
Abfahrt
A1الإقلاع. لحظة بدء القطار أو الحافلة رحلتها.
abfliegen
A2الفعل 'abfliegen' يعني الإقلاع أو المغادرة بالطائرة.
Abflug
A1يشير هذا إلى اللحظة التي تقلع فيها الطائرة من الأرض وتبدأ رحلتها.
Abreise
B1تعني كلمة "Abreise" المغادرة، وهي فعل ترك مكان ما، خاصة للسفر. إنها اللحظة التي يبدأ فيها المرء رحلته. "المغادرة مقررة ليوم غد." (The departure is scheduled for tomorrow.)
abreisen
B1هو بدء رحلة والمغادرة من مكانك الحالي.