austrinken
austrinken en 30 segundos
- Austrinken means to finish a drink completely.
- It is a separable verb: 'Ich trinke aus.'
- The past participle is 'ausgetrunken'.
- Commonly used in social and domestic settings.
The German verb austrinken is a fascinating example of how German utilizes prefixes to add a sense of completion or 'telicity' to a base action. While the simple verb trinken merely describes the act of consuming a liquid, austrinken specifies that the action is carried out until the container is entirely empty. It is the linguistic equivalent of 'drinking up' or 'finishing one's drink.' In German culture, where beverages—from sparkling water to world-renowned beers—play a central role in social life, knowing when and how to use this verb is essential for reaching A2 proficiency and beyond. It is not just about the physical act; it often carries social connotations, such as finishing a toast or preparing to leave a venue.
- The Prefix 'aus-'
- In this context, 'aus-' functions as a resultative prefix. It signals that the process of drinking has reached its natural conclusion: an empty glass. This is similar to 'ausessen' (to eat up/finish a meal).
Bitte austrinken, wir müssen jetzt gehen!
You will encounter this word in a variety of settings. At home, a parent might tell a child to finish their milk. In a restaurant, a waiter might ask if they can take a glass away by checking if you have 'ausgetrunken' (finished drinking). It is also highly prevalent in social drinking contexts. For instance, before a group leaves a pub, someone might shout, 'Austrinken!', serving as a collective call to finish the remaining liquid in everyone's glasses so the group can move on to the next location. It is a verb of transition, marking the end of a specific activity or phase of an evening.
- Social Etiquette
- In Germany, leaving a tiny bit in the glass is sometimes seen as wasteful. Using 'austrinken' implies a sense of appreciation for the beverage provided.
Hast du dein Glas schon ausgetrunken?
Furthermore, the word is used in medical contexts. If a doctor prescribes a liquid medicine, they might emphasize that you must 'austrinken' the entire dose to ensure the treatment is effective. Here, the precision of the verb is vital; 'trinken' would be too vague, as it doesn't specify that the entire measured amount must be consumed. The psychological aspect of 'austrinken' also appears in literature and music, often symbolizing the 'draining' of a cup of sorrow or joy, though in daily A2 conversation, it remains firmly rooted in the physical consumption of beverages.
- Imperative Usage
- The imperative 'Trink aus!' is very common among friends. It is direct and efficient, typical of the German language's preference for clarity in action-oriented speech.
Er trinkt seinen Tee in Ruhe aus.
Du musst die Medizin ganz austrinken.
Wir haben unsere Limonade schnell ausgetrunken.
Mastering the use of austrinken requires an understanding of German separable verbs (trennbare Verben). In a standard declarative sentence in the present tense, the prefix 'aus-' detaches from the stem 'trinken' and migrates to the very end of the clause. This can be confusing for beginners because the meaning of the sentence isn't fully clear until the final word is uttered. For example, 'Ich trinke mein Wasser...' could mean you are currently drinking, but adding '...aus' at the end changes the meaning to 'I am finishing/drinking up my water.'
- Present Tense Structure
- Subject + Conjugated Verb (trinken) + Object + ... + Prefix (aus). Example: 'Sie trinkt die Milch aus.'
Ich trinke nur noch schnell meinen Kaffee aus.
When using modal verbs (like müssen, können, or wollen), the rules change. In this case, the modal verb is conjugated and placed in the second position, while the complete, unseparated infinitive austrinken is placed at the end of the sentence. This is often easier for English speakers to grasp as it mirrors the structure of 'I must drink up.' For example: 'Du musst dein Glas austrinken.' This structure is very common in instructions or polite requests.
- The Perfect Tense (Perfekt)
- The past participle is 'ausgetrunken'. Notice how the '-ge-' is sandwiched between the prefix and the stem. Example: 'Ich habe mein Bier ausgetrunken.'
Habt ihr eure Säfte schon ausgetrunken?
In questions, the conjugated part of the verb comes first, but the prefix still stays at the end. 'Trinkst du deine Suppe aus?' (Are you finishing your soup?). Even though soup is often 'eaten' in English, in German, if it's a thin broth in a cup, 'austrinken' is perfectly acceptable. The verb is versatile across various types of liquids and containers. Whether it's a bottle, a glass, a cup, or even a bowl, if you are emptying it by drinking, austrinken is your go-to word.
- Reflexive and Passive
- While less common at A2, you might hear 'Das Glas ist ausgetrunken' (The glass is finished/empty). This focuses on the state of the container.
Können wir gehen, wenn alle ausgetrunken haben?
Sie tranken ihre Gläser hastig aus.
Man sollte seinen Wein nicht zu schnell austrinken.
The most common place to hear austrinken is in a social or hospitality setting. In a German 'Biergarten' or 'Kneipe' (pub), as closing time approaches, the staff will often move through the tables saying, 'Bitte austrinken, wir schließen gleich' (Please finish your drinks, we are closing soon). This is a polite but firm way to signal the end of service. You will also hear it among friends when one person is drinking much slower than the rest of the group and everyone is ready to leave for the next bar or to catch a train.
- The 'Stammtisch' Culture
- At a regular's table, 'austrinken' might be used as a prompt for the next round. If someone says 'Trink aus!', they might be offering to buy the next beer once your glass is empty.
Der Kellner fragt: 'Darf ich das mitnehmen, oder wollen Sie noch austrinken?'
In a domestic environment, parents frequently use this verb with children. It's a standard part of the daily routine: 'Trink deine Milch aus, bevor du zur Schule gehst' (Finish your milk before you go to school). Here, it carries a tone of encouragement or a mild command. It's also common in health contexts. If you are drinking a cup of tea for a sore throat, a partner might say, 'Du musst den Tee ganz austrinken, damit er hilft.' This emphasizes the necessity of the full dose.
- Festivals and Toasts
- During Oktoberfest or similar festivals, you might hear 'Austrinken!' as a cheer. It’s a communal encouragement to empty the 'Maß' (liter-sized beer mug).
'Komm schon, trink aus, das Taxi wartet draußen!'
You will also encounter the word in film and literature to denote a moment of reflection. A character might 'slowly finish their drink' (trank langsam aus) while contemplating a difficult decision. This usage provides a beat in the narrative, showing the passage of time. In news or formal reports, you might hear about 'austrinken' in the context of water shortages or environmental issues (e.g., a lake 'drinking up' or being emptied), though this is more metaphorical and less common in everyday A2 speech.
- In the Office
- Before a meeting starts, a colleague might say, 'Ich trinke nur noch kurz meinen Kaffee aus und komme dann.'
Wir haben die Flasche Wein zu zweit ausgetrunken.
Niemand wollte das bittere Getränk austrinken.
Trink bitte aus, wir wollen die Gläser spülen.
One of the most frequent errors English speakers make with austrinken is treating it as an inseparable verb. Because 'drink up' is two words in English, learners often forget to move the 'aus' to the end of the sentence in German. They might say *Ich austrinke mein Wasser instead of the correct Ich trinke mein Wasser aus. This error is particularly common in the present tense. Remember: if the verb is conjugated and there's no modal verb, the prefix must travel to the very end of the clause, even if that clause is long.
- Word Order Trap
- Wrong: 'Er trinkt aus sein Bier.' Correct: 'Er trinkt sein Bier aus.' The object must come before the prefix.
Falsch: Ich muss geaustrunken. Richtig: Ich habe ausgetrunken.
Another common mistake is the formation of the past participle. Some learners try to put the 'ge-' at the beginning, like *geaustrunken, or they forget the 'ge-' entirely. In German separable verbs, the 'ge-' always sits between the prefix and the stem: aus-ge-trunken. Additionally, learners sometimes confuse austrinken with leer machen (to make empty). While leer machen is technically correct, austrinken is much more natural when referring specifically to the consumption of a beverage.
- Confusion with 'trinken'
- Don't use 'trinken' when you mean 'finish drinking'. If a waiter asks if you're done, 'Ich habe getrunken' sounds like 'I have drunk (in general)', whereas 'Ich habe ausgetrunken' means 'I've finished this specific drink'.
Falsch: Trinkst du aus deinen Tee? Richtig: Trinkst du deinen Tee aus?
A subtle mistake involves using austrinken for things that aren't beverages. You cannot 'austrinken' a plate of soup if you are using a spoon (that would be aufessen). You can only 'austrinken' it if you pick up the bowl and drink directly from the rim. Similarly, you don't 'austrinken' a cigarette; for that, you use aufrauchen. The verb is strictly tied to the action of drinking. Lastly, be careful with the imperative. 'Trink aus!' is common, but in very formal settings, it might sound a bit too brusque. In such cases, 'Möchten Sie noch austrinken?' is a safer, more polite alternative.
- The 'zu' Infinitive
- When using 'zu' (e.g., 'It is important to drink up'), it goes between the prefix and the verb: 'auszutrinken'. Learners often place it in front: *zu austrinken.
Es ist unhöflich, sein Glas nicht auszutrinken.
Er hat das Wasser austrinken. (Wrong) Er hat das Wasser ausgetrunken. (Right)
Bitte trinken Sie Ihr Glas aus.
German has several verbs that overlap with austrinken, but each has its own specific nuance. The most basic alternative is leer trinken. This is almost identical in meaning but treats 'leer' (empty) as an adjective describing the result. While 'austrinken' is a single lexical unit, 'leer trinken' emphasizes the state of the glass. You might hear 'Trink das Glas leer!', which is slightly more descriptive than 'Trink aus!'. However, 'austrinken' remains the more common, idiomatic choice in most everyday situations.
- austrinken vs. leeren
- 'Leeren' means 'to empty' in a general sense. You can 'leeren' a trash can or a mailbox. Using 'leeren' for a glass sounds more formal or clinical, whereas 'austrinken' specifically involves the act of drinking.
Wir leerten die Flasche Wein in wenigen Minuten. (More formal/literary)
In very informal or slang contexts, especially among young people or in party settings, you might hear the verb exen. This comes from the Latin 'ex' (out) and specifically means to 'chug' or drink the entire glass in one go without stopping. While austrinken can be done slowly over ten minutes, exen is always fast. You might hear someone shout 'Ex es!', which is a challenge to down the drink. This is much more aggressive and informal than the neutral austrinken.
- austrinken vs. austrinken lassen
- Adding 'lassen' (to let) changes the meaning to 'allowing someone to finish their drink'. For example: 'Lass mich bitte kurz austrinken' (Please let me finish my drink before we go).
Er exte sein Bier, um zu zeigen, wie durstig er war. (Slang)
Another related term is verzehren, which means 'to consume'. This is very formal and usually used in legal or commercial contexts, such as 'Speisen und Getränke, die hier verzehrt werden' (Food and drinks consumed here). You would never say 'Ich verzehre mein Wasser aus.' Finally, consider the verb schlürfen (to sip or slurp). While austrinken focuses on the end result, schlürfen focuses on the manner of drinking. You can 'schlürfend austrinken' (finish your drink while slurping), combining the manner and the resultative completion.
- Summary Table
-
- austrinken: Standard, finish the drink.
- leer trinken: Emphasizes the empty glass.
- exen: Slang, to chug in one go.
- leeren: Formal, to empty a container.
Können wir das Glas teilen, oder willst du es alleine austrinken?
Sie hat die Tasse Tee in kleinen Schlucken ausgetrunken.
Wollen wir die Flasche noch austrinken?
How Formal Is It?
Dato curioso
The root of 'trinken' is related to the English word 'drink', making it a cognate. The 'aus-' prefix functions very similarly to the English 'up' in 'drink up', showing how both languages use spatial particles to denote completion.
Guía de pronunciación
- Stressing the second syllable: 'aus-TRIN-ken' (incorrect).
- Pronouncing the 'aus' like the English word 'us' (should be 'ow-ss').
- Softening the 'k' too much.
- Forgetting the 'n' at the end.
- Pronouncing the 'r' like an English 'r' instead of a German uvular 'r'.
Nivel de dificultad
Easy to recognize, but you must look for the 'aus' at the end of the sentence.
Requires knowledge of separable verb word order and past participle formation.
Natural usage requires practice with the 'aus' placement in real-time.
Generally easy to hear, though the 'aus' can be far from the 'trinken'.
Qué aprender después
Requisitos previos
Aprende después
Avanzado
Gramática que debes saber
Separable Verbs (Trennbare Verben)
Ich trinke aus. (The prefix 'aus' moves to the end).
Modal Verbs with Infinitives
Ich muss austrinken. (The verb stays together at the end).
Perfekt Tense of Separable Verbs
Ich habe ausgetrunken. (The 'ge' goes between prefix and stem).
Imperative Mood
Trink aus! (Command form, prefix at the end).
Subordinate Clauses (Nebensätze)
...weil ich austrinke. (Verb and prefix join at the end).
Ejemplos por nivel
Ich trinke meine Milch aus.
I am drinking up my milk.
The prefix 'aus' goes to the end.
Trinkst du deinen Tee aus?
Are you finishing your tea?
Question form with 'aus' at the end.
Trink bitte aus!
Please drink up!
Imperative form.
Er trinkt das Wasser aus.
He is finishing the water.
Third person singular.
Wir trinken den Saft aus.
We are finishing the juice.
First person plural.
Sie trinken ihre Cola aus.
They are finishing their cola.
Third person plural.
Trinkt ihr den Kaffee aus?
Are you (plural) finishing the coffee?
Second person plural question.
Ich trinke das Glas aus.
I finish the glass.
Basic present tense.
Ich muss meinen Kaffee austrinken.
I must finish my coffee.
Modal verb 'müssen' keeps the verb together.
Hast du dein Bier ausgetrunken?
Have you finished your beer?
Perfekt tense with 'ausgetrunken'.
Wir wollen die Flasche austrinken.
We want to finish the bottle.
Modal verb 'wollen'.
Können Sie bitte austrinken?
Can you (formal) please finish your drink?
Polite modal question.
Sie hat die Limonade schnell ausgetrunken.
She finished the lemonade quickly.
Perfekt tense.
Ich habe mein Glas schon ausgetrunken.
I have already finished my glass.
Use of 'schon' for emphasis.
Soll ich den Rest austrinken?
Should I finish the rest?
Modal verb 'sollen'.
Er darf sein Glas nicht austrinken.
He is not allowed to finish his glass.
Negation with modal verb.
Ich trinke noch schnell aus, dann komme ich.
I'll just finish my drink quickly, then I'll come.
Subordinate-like structure in speech.
Weil er durstig war, trank er das Glas sofort aus.
Because he was thirsty, he finished the glass immediately.
Präteritum (narrative past).
Es ist wichtig, die Medizin ganz auszutrinken.
It is important to finish the medicine completely.
Infinitive with 'zu'.
Nachdem wir ausgetrunken hatten, gingen wir nach Hause.
After we had finished our drinks, we went home.
Plusquamperfekt (past perfect).
Ich warte, bis du ausgetrunken hast.
I'll wait until you have finished your drink.
Subordinate clause with 'bis'.
Obwohl der Tee heiß war, trank sie ihn aus.
Although the tea was hot, she finished it.
Concessive clause with 'obwohl'.
Er fragte mich, ob ich schon ausgetrunken hätte.
He asked me if I had already finished my drink.
Indirect speech with Konjunktiv II.
Man sollte sein Glas austrinken, bevor man ein neues bestellt.
One should finish one's glass before ordering a new one.
Passive-like 'man' construction.
Das Glas wurde von ihm in einem Zug ausgetrunken.
The glass was finished by him in one gulp.
Passiv (passive voice).
Hätte ich doch bloß meinen Tee ausgetrunken!
If only I had finished my tea!
Irrealer Wunschsatz (unreal wish).
Er schien das bittere Getränk widerwillig auszutrinken.
He seemed to finish the bitter drink reluctantly.
Infinitive construction with 'scheinen'.
Bevor die Gäste kamen, hatte sie die Flasche bereits ausgetrunken.
Before the guests arrived, she had already finished the bottle.
Temporal clause with Plusquamperfekt.
Es wäre besser, wenn wir jetzt austrinken würden.
It would be better if we finished our drinks now.
Konjunktiv II for polite suggestion.
Das Kind weigerte sich, die gesunde Suppe auszutrinken.
The child refused to finish the healthy soup.
Reflexive verb 'sich weigern' with infinitive.
Wir saßen da und tranken unsere Sorgen langsam aus.
We sat there and slowly finished our worries (metaphorical).
Metaphorical usage.
Die Gläser müssen vor dem Spülen komplett ausgetrunken sein.
The glasses must be completely finished before washing.
Zustandspassiv (state passive).
In der Hoffnung, die Wahrheit zu finden, trank er den Kelch bis zur Neige aus.
In the hope of finding the truth, he drank the cup to the dregs.
Literary/Idiomatic expression.
Es ist eine Unart, sein Glas niemals ganz auszutrinken.
It is a bad habit never to finish one's glass completely.
Noun-infinitive construction.
Kaum hatte er ausgetrunken, da verließ er auch schon den Raum.
Hardly had he finished his drink when he already left the room.
Correlative conjunction 'kaum... da'.
Das Austauschen von Blicken war wichtiger als das eigentliche Austrinken.
The exchange of looks was more important than the actual finishing of the drinks.
Substantiviertes Verb (nominalized verb).
Sollte er das Gift austrinken, wäre sein Schicksal besiegelt.
Should he drink the poison, his fate would be sealed.
Conditional sentence with 'sollte'.
Trotz seiner Eile nahm er sich die Zeit, den Espresso genüsslich auszutrinken.
Despite his haste, he took the time to finish the espresso with pleasure.
Genitive preposition 'trotz'.
Man kann die Natur nicht einfach austrinken und dann so tun, als wäre nichts gewesen.
One cannot simply drink nature dry and then act as if nothing happened.
Metaphorical environmental context.
Das Glas auszutrinken, ohne eine Miene zu verziehen, war eine echte Herausforderung.
Finishing the glass without flinching was a real challenge.
Infinitive clause as subject.
Die bittere Pille des Scheiterns musste er bis zum letzten Tropfen austrinken.
He had to drink the bitter pill of failure to the last drop.
Complex metaphorical idiom.
Welch eine Ironie, dass er ausgerechnet das Glas austrank, das für seinen Feind bestimmt war.
What an irony that he finished the very glass intended for his enemy.
Exclamatory 'welch' and subordinate clause.
In jener Nacht tranken sie nicht nur Wein, sondern sie tranken die ganze Melancholie des Daseins aus.
That night they didn't just drink wine, they finished the entire melancholy of existence.
High-level literary style.
Das restlose Austrinken der Ressourcen führt unweigerlich in die Katastrophe.
The complete exhaustion of resources leads inevitably to catastrophe.
Nominalized usage in academic context.
Hätten sie doch nur gemeinsam ausgetrunken, anstatt sich im Streit zu trennen.
If only they had finished their drinks together instead of parting in an argument.
Irrealer Wunschsatz in the past.
Es geziemt sich für einen Gast, das ihm dargebotene Getränk höflich auszutrinken.
It behooves a guest to politely finish the drink offered to him.
Archaic/Formal verb 'geziemen'.
Wer den Wein nicht austrinkt, der schätzt auch die Rebe nicht.
He who does not finish the wine does not appreciate the vine.
Proverbial structure.
Man sah ihm an, dass er den Becher der Erkenntnis bereits bis zum Grunde ausgetrunken hatte.
One could see that he had already finished the cup of knowledge to the bottom.
Abstract metaphorical usage.
Colocaciones comunes
Frases Comunes
— I'll just finish my drink quickly. Used as a polite delay.
Geht schon mal vor, ich trinke nur noch kurz aus.
— May I finish my drink? Used when someone tries to take your glass.
Warten Sie, darf ich noch kurz austrinken?
— Have you finished? A common question in bars or at home.
Bist du fertig? Hast du ausgetrunken?
— We finished everything. Usually refers to all available alcohol.
Die Party war gut, wir haben alles ausgetrunken.
— Let me finish! Used when being rushed.
Hetz mich nicht, lass mich erst austrinken!
— Not finished yet. A short answer to a waiter.
Nein, danke, ich habe noch nicht ausgetrunken.
— To have to finish everything. Often used for medicine or bad drinks.
Ich musste den ganzen Saft austrinken.
— To finish a bottle together.
Sollen wir die Flasche Wein gemeinsam austrinken?
— Finish quickly and go. A common phrase when in a hurry.
Komm, schnell austrinken und los zum Bahnhof!
Se confunde a menudo con
Trinken is just the act; austrinken is finishing the whole thing.
Austreten means to step out or to leave a club; sounds similar but very different meaning.
Aufessen is for food; austrinken is for liquids.
Modismos y expresiones
— To endure a difficult or painful situation to the very end.
Er musste den Kelch der Demütigung bis zur Neige austrinken.
literary— To finish a glass as a toast to someone.
Wir trinken dieses Glas auf dein Wohl aus!
neutral— A variation of 'swallowing the bitter pill', meaning to accept a harsh truth.
Jetzt müssen wir die Suppe auch austrinken.
informal— To finish a drink in one single breath/gulp.
Er trank das Glas Wasser in einem Zug aus.
neutral— Though usually with 'fressen', some use 'austrinken' to mean someone thinks they are very smart.
Er tut so, als hätte er die Weisheit ausgetrunken.
informal— To enjoy happiness to its fullest extent.
Sie tranken den Becher der Freude gemeinsam aus.
literary— To gain full understanding of a difficult matter.
Nach Jahren des Studiums hatte er den Wein der Erkenntnis ausgetrunken.
academic/poetic— To be completely drained (often used for resources).
Die Kassen sind ausgetrunken (empty).
metaphorical— To finish one's business and leave.
Er hat sein Glas ausgetrunken und ist abgetreten.
informal— To be very thorough in finishing something.
Sie trank den letzten Tropfen aus der Flasche aus.
neutralFácil de confundir
Similar to 'trinken'.
Austrinken implies completion (empty glass), whereas trinken is just the general action of consuming liquid.
Ich trinke Wasser (I am drinking water) vs. Ich trinke das Wasser aus (I am finishing the water).
Both mean to empty.
Leeren is general and more formal; austrinken is specifically for drinking.
Ich leere den Müll (trash) vs. Ich trinke mein Glas aus.
Both mean finishing a drink.
Exen is slang for drinking in one gulp; austrinken is neutral and can be slow.
Er exte das Bier in einer Sekunde.
Both relate to consumption.
Verzehren is very formal and covers both food and drink.
Speisen hier verzehren.
Both describe drinking.
Schlürfen describes the sound/manner; austrinken describes the result.
Sie schlürfte den Rest aus.
Patrones de oraciones
Ich trinke [Getränk] aus.
Ich trinke das Wasser aus.
Ich muss [Getränk] austrinken.
Ich muss meinen Tee austrinken.
Hast du [Getränk] ausgetrunken?
Hast du dein Bier ausgetrunken?
Ich trinke aus, bevor wir gehen.
Ich trinke aus, bevor wir gehen.
Es ist wichtig, [Getränk] auszutrinken.
Es ist wichtig, den Saft auszutrinken.
Nachdem er [Getränk] ausgetrunken hatte, ...
Nachdem er den Wein ausgetrunken hatte, schlief er ein.
Ohne das Glas ganz auszutrinken, ...
Ohne das Glas ganz auszutrinken, stellte er es weg.
[Substantiviertes Verb] war unvermeidlich.
Das restlose Austrinken war unvermeidlich.
Familia de palabras
Sustantivos
Verbos
Adjetivos
Relacionado
Cómo usarlo
Highly frequent in daily spoken German.
-
Ich austrinke mein Wasser.
→
Ich trinke mein Wasser aus.
You forgot to separate the verb. In the present tense, the prefix 'aus' must go to the end.
-
Ich habe geaustrunken.
→
Ich habe ausgetrunken.
The 'ge-' goes between the prefix and the stem for separable verbs.
-
Trink aus dein Bier!
→
Trink dein Bier aus!
The object ('dein Bier') must come before the separable prefix ('aus').
-
Ich muss ausgetrunken mein Glas.
→
Ich muss mein Glas austrinken.
With a modal verb like 'müssen', you need the infinitive 'austrinken' at the end, not the past participle.
-
Er trinkt aus das Wasser.
→
Er trinkt das Wasser aus.
Again, the prefix 'aus' must be the very last element of the main clause.
Consejos
Separable Verb Rule
Always remember to kick the 'aus' to the very end of the sentence in the present tense. 'Ich trinke mein großes Glas Wasser jetzt endlich aus.' See how far it can go?
Bar Etiquette
If a waiter asks 'Darf ich das mitnehmen?', and you still have a sip left, say 'Ich trinke nur noch kurz aus.' It's polite and clear.
Stress the Prefix
In German separable verbs, the prefix is almost always the part that gets the stress. Say 'AUS-trinken', not 'aus-TRIN-ken'.
Use in Stories
In written stories, you might use the Präteritum: 'Er trank sein Glas aus und ging.' This sounds more narrative than the Perfekt 'hat ausgetrunken'.
Prefix Power
Learn 'aus-' as a completion marker. If you know 'trinken' and 'aus-', you can guess 'austrinken'. This works for 'ausessen' and 'auslesen' too!
Don't Waste!
Finishing your drink ('austrinken') is often seen as a sign that you liked it and that you are not wasteful. It's a small cultural plus.
The 'Wait' Phrase
A very useful phrase is 'Lass mich bitte kurz austrinken.' Use it whenever someone is rushing you to leave while you still have a drink.
Catch the 'Aus'
Train your ear to wait for the final word in a German sentence. Often, the whole meaning changes only when you hear that 'aus' at the end.
The 'zu' Sandwich
When using 'zu' with 'austrinken', it goes in the middle: 'aus-zu-trinken'. It's like a sandwich with 'zu' as the filling!
Know your 'Ex'
If you hear someone shout 'Ex!', they want you to finish your drink in one go. It's the slang version of 'austrinken'!
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
Think of 'AUS' as 'OUT'. When you 'AUS-trinken', the liquid is 'OUT' of the glass. The glass is empty!
Asociación visual
Imagine a glass with a big 'X' on it, or a person turning a glass upside down to show it is empty.
Word Web
Desafío
Try to use 'austrinken' in three different sentences today: one with 'müssen', one in the present tense, and one in the 'Perfekt' tense.
Origen de la palabra
The word is a combination of the prefix 'aus-' and the verb 'trinken'. 'Trinken' comes from the Old High German 'trinkan', which has roots in the Proto-Germanic '*drinkaną'. The prefix 'aus-' indicates a movement outward or a completion of an action.
Significado original: To drink until the vessel is empty.
GermanicContexto cultural
Be careful with 'Trink aus!' as it can be perceived as bossy or aggressive if said with the wrong tone. Use 'Wollen wir austrinken?' to be more polite.
English speakers say 'drink up' or 'finish your drink'. 'Austrinken' is the direct equivalent but feels more like a single action in German.
Practica en la vida real
Contextos reales
At a Restaurant
- Ich möchte noch austrinken.
- Haben Sie schon ausgetrunken?
- Darf ich das Glas mitnehmen?
- Wir trinken nur noch schnell aus.
At Home
- Trink deine Milch aus!
- Ich habe meinen Tee ausgetrunken.
- Soll ich das austrinken?
- Die Kinder haben den Saft ausgetrunken.
At a Bar
- Austrinken, wir schließen!
- Trink aus, ich zahl die nächste Runde.
- Wollen wir die Flasche austrinken?
- Er hat sein Bier in einem Zug ausgetrunken.
Medical
- Trinken Sie die Lösung ganz aus.
- Sie müssen das Glas austrinken.
- Haben Sie die Medizin ausgetrunken?
- Nicht austrinken, nur nippen.
Metaphorical
- Den Kelch austrinken.
- Die bittere Pille austrinken.
- Das Schicksal austrinken.
- Bis zur Neige austrinken.
Inicios de conversación
"Möchtest du dein Glas noch in Ruhe austrinken oder sollen wir gehen?"
"Hast du die ganze Flasche Wein alleine ausgetrunken?"
"Warum hast du deinen Kaffee nicht ausgetrunken? War er nicht gut?"
"Sollen wir die Limonade gemeinsam austrinken, bevor sie warm wird?"
"Musst du diese Medizin wirklich ganz austrinken?"
Temas para diario
Beschreibe eine Situation, in der du ein Getränk sehr schnell austrinken musstest. Warum hattest du es eilig?
Was ist dein Lieblingsgetränk, das du immer bis zum letzten Tropfen austrinkst? Warum magst du es so sehr?
Hast du schon einmal in einem deutschen Restaurant 'austrinken' gehört? Was ist passiert?
Schreibe eine kurze Geschichte über jemanden, der einen magischen Trank austrinken muss.
Ist es in deiner Kultur wichtig, sein Glas ganz auszutrinken? Erkläre die Regeln.
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasYes, 'austrinken' is a separable verb. In the present tense, 'aus' goes to the end: 'Ich trinke aus.' In the perfect tense, it becomes 'ausgetrunken'. Only with modal verbs or in subordinate clauses does it stay together.
Yes, but only if you are drinking the soup directly from the bowl or cup. If you are using a spoon, you should use 'aufessen' (to eat up).
'Trink aus' is the idiomatic, natural way to say 'finish your drink'. 'Trink fertig' is understandable but sounds less natural to native speakers.
Use the Perfekt tense: 'Ich habe mein Getränk ausgetrunken.' This is the most common way to say it in conversation.
It depends on the tone and the relationship. Among friends, it's fine. In a formal setting, it's better to say 'Möchten Sie noch austrinken?'
Yes, you can 'eine Flasche austrinken' as well as 'ein Glas austrinken'. It applies to any container from which you drink.
It means 'finished' or 'empty' in the context of a drink. 'Das Glas ist ausgetrunken' means 'The glass is empty/finished'.
Yes, you can say 'Der Hund hat seinen Napf ausgetrunken' if he finished all the water in his bowl.
The nominalized verb is 'das Austrinken', but it is not very common in daily speech. You might see it in formal writing.
In German, for separable verbs, the 'ge-' prefix of the past participle always goes between the separable prefix and the main verb stem.
Ponte a prueba 200 preguntas
Write a sentence using 'austrinken' in the present tense.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence using 'müssen' and 'austrinken'.
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Write a question asking if someone has finished their drink.
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Write a command telling someone to finish their milk.
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Describe what you do when the waiter wants to take your glass but you're not finished.
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Use 'ausgetrunken' in a sentence about a party.
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Write a sentence with 'weil' and 'austrinken'.
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Translate: 'I have to finish my medicine.'
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Translate: 'Drink up, we are leaving!'
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Use 'auszutrinken' in a sentence.
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Write a short story (3 sentences) about a thirsty person.
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Explain the difference between 'trinken' and 'austrinken' in German.
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Write a formal request for someone to finish their drink.
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Use 'trank aus' in a narrative sentence.
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Write a sentence about a dog finishing its water.
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Translate: 'Have you (plural) finished your coffee?'
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Use 'austrinken' in a sentence with 'wollen'.
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Write a sentence using 'in Ruhe austrinken'.
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Translate: 'She finished the juice in one gulp.'
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Write a sentence using 'austrinken' as a noun.
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Say 'I am finishing my water' in German.
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Ask a friend: 'Did you finish your beer?'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Tell your child to finish their juice.
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Say: 'I must finish my coffee first.'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Say: 'Let me finish my drink, please.'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Tell a waiter: 'I have already finished.'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Say: 'We want to finish the bottle together.'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Ask: 'Can I finish the rest?'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Say: 'I'll just finish my drink quickly and then I'm coming.'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Say: 'It is important to finish the medicine.'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Repeat the phrase: 'Alles austrinken!'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Say: 'He finished the glass in one gulp.'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Ask formally: 'Would you like to finish your drink?'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Say: 'I'm waiting until you've finished.'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Say: 'Don't leave the glass full, drink up!'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Say: 'We have already finished all the juice.'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Say: 'I drank it all up.'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Ask: 'Are you finishing your tea?'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Say: 'Please drink up, we're closing.'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Say 'Austrinken' five times fast.
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Listen to the sentence: 'Ich trinke mein Glas aus.' What is the last word?
Listen: 'Hast du ausgetrunken?' Is it present or past?
Listen: 'Trink bitte aus!' Is this a question or a command?
Listen: 'Wir müssen austrinken.' Which verb is modal?
Listen: 'Er trank aus.' Which tense is this?
Listen: 'Es ist wichtig auszutrinken.' How many syllables are in 'auszutrinken'?
Listen: 'Darf ich austrinken?' Who might say this?
Listen: 'Ich habe ausgetrunken.' Does the person want more?
Listen: 'Trinkt ihr aus?' How many people is the speaker talking to?
Listen: 'Sie trank den Kelch aus.' Is this formal or informal?
Listen: 'Bitte austrinken!' Where are you likely to hear this?
Listen: 'Ich trinke nur noch kurz aus.' What does 'kurz' mean here?
Listen: 'Alles ausgetrunken.' Is the container empty?
Listen: 'Lass mich erst austrinken.' What does 'erst' mean?
Listen: 'Ex es!' Is this polite?
/ 200 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The verb 'austrinken' is essential for indicating the completion of drinking. Unlike the simple 'trinken', it focuses on emptying the glass. Remember to place 'aus' at the end of the sentence in the present tense: 'Trink dein Glas aus!'
- Austrinken means to finish a drink completely.
- It is a separable verb: 'Ich trinke aus.'
- The past participle is 'ausgetrunken'.
- Commonly used in social and domestic settings.
Separable Verb Rule
Always remember to kick the 'aus' to the very end of the sentence in the present tense. 'Ich trinke mein großes Glas Wasser jetzt endlich aus.' See how far it can go?
Bar Etiquette
If a waiter asks 'Darf ich das mitnehmen?', and you still have a sip left, say 'Ich trinke nur noch kurz aus.' It's polite and clear.
Stress the Prefix
In German separable verbs, the prefix is almost always the part that gets the stress. Say 'AUS-trinken', not 'aus-TRIN-ken'.
Use in Stories
In written stories, you might use the Präteritum: 'Er trank sein Glas aus und ging.' This sounds more narrative than the Perfekt 'hat ausgetrunken'.
Ejemplo
Bitte trink dein Glas aus, bevor wir gehen.
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