Herausfinden: Informationen entdecken (Phrasalverb)
find out deckst du alle Fakten auf, die du brauchst.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'find out' when you discover new information or facts that you didn't know before.
- Use it for facts, not physical objects. Example: 'I found out the truth.'
- It is often followed by 'about' or a 'wh-' word. Example: 'Find out why.'
- The past tense is 'found out'. Example: 'She found out yesterday.'
Overview
find out ist ein absoluter Klassiker, den du im Alltag ständig brauchen wirst. Im Deutschen haben wir oft ein einziges Verb für eine Handlung, aber im Englischen wird die Bedeutung durch die Kombination aus Verb und Partikel (in diesem Fall out) erweitert. Find out bedeutet so viel wie „herausfinden“, „in Erfahrung bringen“ oder „erfahren“.find out im Englischen viel häufiger und in einem breiteren Spektrum eingesetzt wird als das deutsche „herausfinden“.find out. Wenn du im Büro arbeitest, an der Uni bist oder in einer WG lebst, wirst du diesen Ausdruck täglich hören. Es ist ein „Arbeitspferd“ der englischen Sprache.I need to find out who drank the milk. Das ist genau der richtige Tonfall.Find out besteht aus dem Verb find und der Partikel out. Grammatikalisch gesehen ist es ein transitives Phrasal Verb, was bedeutet, dass es ein Objekt benötigt, um vollständig zu sein. Im Deutschen haben wir das Konzept der trennbaren Verben (z.B.find out ist die Regel für B1-Lernende einfach: Lass die beiden Wörter zusammen!out im Englischen fast immer direkt beim Verb oder folgt kurz danach.find out extrem flexibel. Du kannst es mit einem Nomen verwenden (find out the truth), mit einer Präposition (find out about the meeting) oder mit einem ganzen Nebensatz (find out if he is coming).find out ist nicht dasselbe wie figure out. Figure out bedeutet „etwas durch Nachdenken lösen“ (ein Problem verstehen), während find out bedeutet „eine Information von außen erhalten“ (etwas in Erfahrung bringen).find verändert. Das out ist unveränderlich. Da find ein unregelmäßiges Verb ist, musst du dir die Formen find (Präsens), found (Präteritum) und found (Partizip Perfekt) merken.out. Wenn du im Büro eine E-Mail schreibst, kannst du sagen: I will find out the status of the project. Das klingt professionell und direkt.find out immer dann, wenn du eine Wissenslücke schließen willst.- 1Informationsbeschaffung: Du fragst jemanden nach Details. „Könntest du herausfinden, wann der Bus fährt?“ ->
Can you find out when the bus leaves? - 2Geheimnisse oder Wahrheiten: Wenn etwas ans Licht kommt. „Sie haben herausgefunden, dass er gelogen hat.“ ->
They found out that he lied. - 3Überprüfung: Wenn du sichergehen willst. „Ich schaue mal, ob das Büro offen ist.“ ->
I will find out if the office is open.
find out ist. Wenn du also das nächste Mal in der Kneipe sitzt und wissen willst, ob das Konzert stattfindet, sagst du: I'll find out if the concert is still on.- 1Die „Trennung“-Falle: Deutsche Sprecher versuchen oft, das
outans Satzende zu stellen, weil sie an deutsche trennbare Verben denken (z.B. „Ich finde das heraus“). Auf Englisch istI find that outzwar möglich, aberI find out that informationist viel natürlicher. Vermeide es, das Objekt zu weit vom Verb zu trennen. - 2
Find outvs.Find: Viele sagenI found my keys out, was falsch ist.Find outist nur für Informationen (abstrakt),findist für Gegenstände (konkret). Das passiert, weil wir im Deutschen für beides „finden“ benutzen. - 3Verwechslung mit
Figure out: Da wir im Deutschen „herausfinden“ sowohl für „Informationen bekommen“ als auch für „ein Rätsel lösen“ benutzen, wählen Deutsche oftfind out, wofigure out(etwas logisch durchdringen) besser passen würde.
I figured it out. Wenn du den Namen deines neuen Kollegen erfährst, sagst du I found out his name.- 1Kann ich
find outimmer benutzen? Nein, bei physischen Objekten lass dasoutweg. - 2Ist
find outsehr umgangssprachlich? Es ist neutral und in jedem Kontext (auch im Büro) absolut akzeptabel. - 3Warum sagen manche
find it out? Das ist möglich, aber meistens klingtfind out about itflüssiger und natürlicher.
Conjugating 'Find Out'
| Tense | Subject | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Present Simple
|
I/You/We/They
|
find out
|
I find out the news every morning.
|
|
Present Simple
|
He/She/It
|
finds out
|
She finds out the truth eventually.
|
|
Past Simple
|
All subjects
|
found out
|
We found out about the meeting late.
|
|
Present Continuous
|
I
|
am finding out
|
I am finding out more every day.
|
|
Present Perfect
|
He/She/It
|
has found out
|
He has found out about the surprise.
|
|
Future (Will)
|
All subjects
|
will find out
|
They will find out tomorrow.
|
|
Gerund
|
N/A
|
finding out
|
Finding out the truth was a relief.
|
|
Infinitive
|
N/A
|
to find out
|
I want to find out the price.
|
Meanings
To gain knowledge of something or to discover a fact or piece of information.
General Discovery
To learn something new through study, observation, or inquiry.
“We may never find out the real reason for his resignation.”
“Can you find out when the next bus leaves?”
Uncovering Secrets
To discover that someone has done something wrong or is hiding something.
“He was cheating on the test, but the teacher found him out.”
“If you keep lying, someone will eventually find you out.”
Investigation
To make an effort to discover specific details about a situation.
“The police are trying to find out how the fire started.”
“I'll call the hotel to find out about their cancellation policy.”
Reference Table
| Struktur | Bedeutung | Beispiel | Kontext |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Verb + Nomen/Pronomen
|
Eine spezifische Tatsache entdecken
|
`I need to find out her name.`
|
Grundlegende Kontaktinformationen bekommen
|
|
Verb + about + Nomen
|
Allgemeine Infos zu einem Thema lernen
|
`Let's find out about the new policy.`
|
Ein Thema recherchieren
|
|
Verb + if/whether + Nebensatz
|
Einen Zustand/Wahrheit feststellen
|
`Can you find out if she's free?`
|
Verfügbarkeit prüfen
|
|
Verb + wh-Wort + Nebensatz
|
Spezifische Details entdecken
|
`We found out where they live.`
|
Ermittlungsszenario
|
|
Verb + Nomen + (optional) out
|
Seltener, aber mit kurzen Pronomen möglich
|
`I'll find it out.` (Häufiger: `I'll find out about it.`)
|
Pronomen-Nutzung (selten)
|
|
Find out the hard way
|
Aus negativer Erfahrung lernen
|
`He found out the hard way.`
|
Konsequenzen von Handlungen
|
Formalitätsspektrum
We must ascertain the cause of the error. (Workplace)
We need to find out why the error happened. (Workplace)
Let's see what's up with this error. (Workplace)
Let's suss out why it's broken. (Workplace)
Der 'Find Out' Info-Hub
Was es bedeutet
- Entdecken uncover facts
- Lernen gain knowledge
- Erhalten acquire details
Wie es verwendet wird
- Spezifische Tatsache find out her name
- Allgemeines Thema find out about a project
- Bedingungen find out if it's true
Wichtiger Kontrast
- VS. Figure Out solving a problem
- VS. Discover grand, new revelation
- VS. Learn acquire skill/subject
'Find Out' vs. Die Informationsfamilie
Wann 'Find Out' verwenden?
Brauchst du spezifische Fakten oder Details?
Versuchst du ein Problem zu lösen oder zu verstehen, wie etwas funktioniert?
Erwirbst du eine neue Fähigkeit oder breites Wissen über die Zeit?
Wo du Infos 'find out' (herausfindest)
Privatleben
- • Party-Details
- • Neuigkeiten von Freunden
- • Öffnungszeiten Restaurants
Arbeit/Studium
- • Projekt-Updates
- • Prüfungsergebnisse
- • Meeting-Zeiten
Digitale Welt
- • App-Infos
- • Social Media Trends
- • Online-Bewertungen
Neugier
- • Historische Fakten
- • Wissenschaftliche Durchbrüche
- • Lokale Veranstaltungen
Beispiele nach Niveau
I want to find out the name.
Did you find out the time?
He found out the truth.
We will find out soon.
Can you find out where the station is?
I need to find out about the party.
She didn't find out until yesterday.
They found out that the shop was closed.
I'll call the office to find out why the payment is late.
We need to find out whether the flight is delayed.
It's important to find out about the local customs before you travel.
How did you find out about our company?
The investigation was launched to find out the extent of the damage.
He was terrified that his colleagues would find him out.
Scientists are working to find out how the virus spreads.
Once the truth was found out, the scandal broke.
It took several weeks for the auditors to find out exactly where the money had gone.
The protagonist eventually finds out that his father is still alive.
We must find out what prompted such a drastic change in policy.
I was surprised to find out that she had been living a double life.
The sheer complexity of the case made it nearly impossible to find out the culprit's motives.
In the end, his hubris was his undoing, and he was found out by those he trusted most.
The study seeks to find out the correlation between socio-economic status and linguistic development.
One might find out, upon closer inspection, that the two theories are not so different.
Leicht verwechselbar
Learners use 'find' for information or 'find out' for objects.
Both involve getting information, but the method is different.
Both involve new knowledge.
Häufige Fehler
I find the time.
I find out the time.
I found out my keys.
I found my keys.
He find out.
He finds out.
I find out it.
I found it out.
I found out where is the bus.
I found out where the bus is.
Did you found out?
Did you find out?
I want to find out about who won.
I want to find out who won.
I found out the information out.
I found out the information.
I learned that the price was $10.
I found out that the price was $10.
I found out him.
I found him out.
The truth was found.
The truth was found out.
I found out the solution to the math problem.
I figured out the solution.
Satzmuster
I need to find out ___.
How did you find out about ___?
It was surprising to find out that ___.
We are trying to find out whether ___.
Real World Usage
Find out what time we're meeting!
I'd like to find out more about the team structure.
Can you find out if breakfast is included?
We need to find out his whereabouts.
The experiment was designed to find out the reaction time.
I'll find out why your order hasn't arrived yet.
Denk an eine 'Informations-Suche'
I need to find out the truth.
Nicht mit 'figure out' verwechseln!
I found out he was leaving, and then I figured out what to do.
'about' für allgemeine Themen
Find out about the companyvs. "Find out the company's address".
Umgangssprachlich und häufig
Unregelmäßiges Verb, aufgepasst!
Yesterday, I found out the results.
Smart Tips
Check if you are talking about a fact. If so, add 'out'. It sounds much more natural to native speakers.
You are 'finding out' information, not just 'finding' it. Use this to practice the distinction.
Be careful! 'Find out him' is wrong. 'Find him out' means you caught him lying.
Use 'find out whether' instead of 'find out if'.
Aussprache
Linking
The 'd' in 'find' often links to the 'o' in 'out', sounding like 'fin-dout'.
Stress
In phrasal verbs, the particle (out) often receives more stress than the verb.
Rising on 'out'
Did you find OUT? ↗
Asking a question with curiosity.
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
To 'Find Out' is to bring information 'Out' into the light of your mind.
Visuelle Assoziation
Imagine a magnifying glass hovering over a lightbulb. The magnifying glass is 'finding' and the lightbulb turning on is the 'out' (the information becoming clear).
Rhyme
If it's a fact you doubt, you need to find it out!
Story
A detective was looking for a lost diamond. He 'found' the diamond under the rug. Then, he had to 'find out' who put it there by asking questions.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Go to a news website and find out three things that happened in a different country today. Write them down using 'I found out that...'
Kulturelle Hinweise
The term 'suss out' is a common informal alternative to 'find out' in the UK.
Americans often use 'check out' or 'figure out' in contexts where 'find out' might also work, especially regarding logistics.
Privacy is valued; 'finding out' about someone's personal life without permission can be seen as 'prying'.
From Old English 'findan' (to come upon) and the adverb 'out' (expressing discovery/exposure).
Gesprächseinstiege
How did you find out about your favorite hobby?
What is something interesting you found out recently?
If you could find out any secret in the world, what would it be?
How do you usually find out the news?
Tagebuch-Impulse
Häufige Fehler
Test Yourself
Can you _____ what time the library closes?
Find and fix the mistake:
I need to figure out his address.
Wähle den richtigen Satz:
Score: /3
Ubungsaufgaben
8 exercisesI need to ___ what time the train leaves.
She ___ out that her sister was pregnant yesterday.
Find and fix the mistake:
I found out my lost wallet in the park.
I discovered that the shop was closed.
1. Find out... / 2. Find your... / 3. Find out about...
The detective is trying to...
How did you find out ___ the accident?
Did you find out if she's coming?
Score: /8
Practice Bank
11 exercisesWe need to _____ who ate the last slice of pizza.
Can you find if the store is open?
Which sentence is correct?
Translate into English: 'Ella quiere averiguar sobre el nuevo profesor.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the beginnings with the correct endings:
He tried to _____ why his flight was delayed.
I found out how to fix the broken chair.
Translate into English: 'Ella va a enterarse de los resultados de su examen.'
Choose the correct option:
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Score: /11
FAQ (8)
No, we usually say `find out about it` or `find it out` (though the latter is rare). Usually, we just say `find out` followed by a clause: `I found out that it was true.`
It is neutral. You can use it in conversation and in most business writing. For very formal academic papers, you might use `discover` or `ascertain`.
Use `find out` for information you get from someone else or a source. Use `figure out` for information you get by thinking or doing math.
Usually no. You say `find out the truth`, not `find the truth out`. However, if you mean 'catch someone in a lie', it is separable: `I found him out.`
Only if you mean discovering their secrets. If you are looking for a lost person, just use `find`.
No, it can be used alone. Example: `I don't know yet, but I'll find out.`
Use `about` for a general topic (`find out about the war`) and `that` for a specific fact (`find out that the war ended`).
Yes, but it's less common. `I am finding out new things every day` is correct.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Enterarse / Averiguar
Spanish doesn't use a 'verb + preposition' structure like English.
Apprendre / Découvrir
The same French word can mean 'to learn' and 'to find out'.
Herausfinden
The structure is almost identical to English.
知る (Shiru) / 分かる (Wakaru)
Japanese relies on verb aspect rather than prepositions.
发现 (Fāxiàn) / 查出 (Cháchū)
Chinese doesn't distinguish as strictly between physical finding and informational finding.
اكتشف (Yaktashif)
Arabic uses a single root-based verb.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Verwandte Videos
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