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B1 verb #3,000 le plus courant 10 min de lecture

ausspannen

To relax and unwind.

At the A1 level, you can think of 'ausspannen' as a special word for 'to relax'. You might not use it yourself yet, but you might hear it when someone talks about their weekend. It is a separable verb, which means 'aus' goes to the end: 'Ich spanne aus.' It is similar to 'Pause machen' (to take a break). Imagine a horse that stops working and the farmer takes off its heavy gear—that is the feeling of 'ausspannen'. It is a happy word used for free time and holidays. You don't need to use 'mich' or 'dich' with it. Just say: 'Ich will ausspannen.'
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At the A2 level, you should start using 'ausspannen' to describe your free time activities. It's a great alternative to 'entspannen' or 'schlafen'. You can use it in the perfect tense: 'Ich habe am Wochenende ausgespannt.' Remember that the 'ge' goes in the middle: aus-ge-spannt. It's often used with 'mal' or 'richtig' to add emphasis: 'Ich muss mal richtig ausspannen.' This level also introduces the idea of 'ausspannen' as stretching something, like a sunshade in the garden. It's a useful word for talking about vacations and how you spend your Sundays.
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At the B1 level, you should understand the nuance between 'ausspannen' and other verbs like 'ausruhen' or 'sich erholen'. 'Ausspannen' specifically implies a release from the 'harness' of work or daily duties. You will use it in professional contexts when discussing work-life balance or holiday plans. You should also be aware of the separable verb rules in different sentence structures (subordinate clauses, modal verbs). For example: 'Es ist wichtig, dass ich mal ausspanne' or 'Ich möchte heute einfach nur ausspannen.' You might also encounter the more idiomatic meaning of 'stealing a partner' in informal conversations or media, though you should use it carefully.
At the B2 level, you can use 'ausspannen' with more precision and in more complex grammatical constructions. You understand that it is typically intransitive when referring to relaxation. You can also use it in its literal sense (unharnessing animals) in historical or literary contexts. You are comfortable with the related adjective 'abgespannt' (exhausted) and know that 'ausspannen' is the solution to being 'abgespannt'. You can also use the transitive version for technical or domestic tasks, like 'ein Netz ausspannen' or 'ein Seil ausspannen', understanding the physical tension involved in these actions.
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At the C1 level, you appreciate the etymological depth of 'ausspannen'. You can use it metaphorically in sophisticated discussions about societal pressure and the 'Hamsterrad' (hamster wheel) of modern life. You are aware of the subtle register differences—how 'ausspannen' sounds more traditional and grounded than the anglicism 'relaxen'. You can use the 'relationship' meaning ('jemandem den Partner ausspannen') with the correct dative/accusative structure and understand the social implications and nuances of such a statement. You also recognize the word in technical or specialized texts, such as engineering or manufacturing.
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At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'ausspannen' in all its forms—literal, figurative, and idiomatic. You can use it in creative writing to evoke the imagery of relief and release. You understand its role in German idioms and can distinguish it from very similar verbs like 'aufspannen', 'einspannen', or 'umspannen' in highly specific contexts. You can discuss the word's history and its evolution from the agricultural world to the modern psychological landscape. Your usage is indistinguishable from a native speaker, including the correct prosody and placement in complex, multi-layered sentences.
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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

ausspannen en 30 secondes

  • Ausspannen is a versatile German verb mainly used for relaxing and taking a break from the stress of daily work life, implying a deep release of tension.
  • Grammatically, it is a separable verb (aus-spannen) and is typically used intransitively when referring to rest, meaning it does not require 'sich'.
  • Beyond relaxation, it literally means to unharness animals or stretch objects like nets, and informally refers to 'stealing' someone's romantic partner.
  • It is a B1-level word that is essential for discussing work-life balance, vacations, and personal well-being in a culturally authentic German way.

The German verb ausspannen is a multifaceted word that primarily describes the act of taking a break, relaxing, or recovering from the stresses of daily life. At its core, the word originates from the physical act of unharnessing draft animals, such as horses or oxen, after a long day of labor. When the harness is removed, the tension on the animal's body is released, allowing it to rest. In modern usage, this imagery is applied to humans: we 'unharness' ourselves from our professional or personal burdens to find peace and rejuvenation.

Primary Meaning (Relaxation)
To take a break from work or stress, often involving a change of scenery or a vacation.
Physical Meaning (Unharnessing)
To remove the harness or yoke from an animal (e.g., horses).
Social Meaning (Relationship)
To 'steal' or lure away someone's romantic partner (jemandem den Partner ausspannen).

"Nach dieser anstrengenden Projektphase muss ich am Wochenende unbedingt mal richtig ausspannen."

— A common expression in the German workplace.

In a psychological sense, ausspannen is more than just 'resting' (ausruhen). While ausruhen might simply mean sitting on a sofa, ausspannen often implies a more comprehensive release of mental tension. It is frequently used in the context of vacations or weekend trips where one leaves their usual environment to 'switch off' (abschalten). The verb is separable: ich spanne aus, du spannst aus, and in the perfect tense, it uses haben: ich habe ausgespannt.

Technical Context
In engineering or crafts, it can mean to unclamp or release a workpiece from a machine or tool.
Visual Context
To spread out or stretch something, like a net or a canopy (e.g., ein Netz ausspannen).

"Wir haben im Garten ein Sonnensegel ausgespannt, um Schatten zu spenden."

The versatility of ausspannen makes it a B1-level essential. It bridges the gap between basic physical actions and complex emotional states. Understanding its historical root—the relief of the horse—helps learners internalize the deep sense of relief the word conveys. Whether you are talking about a trip to the Baltic Sea or a quiet afternoon in the garden, ausspannen is the perfect verb to describe that state of being 'off the clock'.

Using ausspannen correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical structure as a separable verb and its various transitive and intransitive applications. In its most common B1-level usage—meaning to relax—it is used intransitively. This means it does not require a direct object. You simply state who is relaxing and perhaps when or where.

Intransitive (To Relax)
Structure: [Subject] + [ausspannen]. Example: "Ich will am Wochenende nur ausspannen."
Transitive (To Unharness/Stretch)
Structure: [Subject] + [Object] + [ausspannen]. Example: "Der Bauer spannt die Ochsen aus."
Dative + Accusative (To Steal a Partner)
Structure: [Subject] + [Dative Person] + [Accusative Partner] + [ausspannen]. Example: "Er hat seinem besten Freund die Freundin ausgespannt."

"Nach der Prüfung konnte ich endlich mal wieder richtig ausspannen."

— Focus on the mental relief after a period of high pressure.

When conjugating, remember the prefix aus- moves to the end of the sentence in simple present and simple past. In the perfect tense, the -ge- is sandwiched between the prefix and the root: aus-ge-spannt. It is important to distinguish this from entspannen. While entspannen is often reflexive (sich entspannen) and can refer to specific muscles or a general atmosphere, ausspannen is more about the 'break' from a routine or burden.

In more advanced contexts (C1/C2), you might encounter the word in technical manuals. If you are 'ausspannen' a piece of metal from a lathe, you are releasing it from the grip of the machine. Similarly, in the context of relationships, 'ausspannen' is quite informal and carries a negative, slightly aggressive connotation—it implies a deliberate effort to take someone away from their current partner. It is not a word used for 'meeting' someone, but for 'taking' someone.

"Man sollte versuchen, Arbeit und Privatleben zu trennen, um besser ausspannen zu können."

Finally, consider the word abgespannt. While it looks like a past participle of abspannen, it is often used as an adjective to mean 'exhausted' or 'worn out'. This is the state you are in *before* you decide to ausspannen. The connection between these 'Spannung' (tension) words is a key feature of the German language's logical structure regarding energy and effort.

You will encounter ausspannen in several distinct social and professional environments in Germany. The most frequent setting is the workplace, specifically during conversations about the weekend or upcoming holidays. It is a very 'positive' word in this context, signaling a healthy approach to recovery and mental health. Colleagues might ask each other on a Friday afternoon: "Und, wirst du am Wochenende schön ausspannen?"

Travel and Tourism
Travel brochures and websites frequently use the term to promote wellness hotels or quiet retreats. "Ausspannen an der Nordsee" (Relaxing by the North Sea) is a classic marketing slogan.
Family and Friends
When talking to friends about stress, you might hear: "Du siehst müde aus, du musst mal wieder richtig ausspannen."
Literature and Film
In older literature, it refers to the end of a journey (unharnessing horses). In modern soap operas, it refers to relationship drama (stealing a partner).

"Wir fahren für drei Tage in die Berge, einfach mal ausspannen und das Handy ausschalten."

— A typical 'Digital Detox' statement.

In the media, especially in lifestyle magazines, ausspannen is associated with 'Self-Care'. It is often paired with activities like hiking, reading, or visiting a spa. It is less about 'partying' and more about 'quietude'. If someone says they are going to Berlin to 'ausspannen', they probably mean they are visiting a quiet park or a spa, rather than going to a techno club (for which they would use 'feiern' or 'draufgehen').

In rural areas or among the older generation, you might still hear the literal use. A farmer might say: "Nach der Ernte werden die Maschinen ausgespannt" (metaphorically or literally referring to the release of equipment). However, the 'relationship' meaning is very common in informal gossip. "Hast du gehört? Lisa hat dem Markus die Freundin ausgespannt!" This usage is sharp and usually implies a bit of scandal.

"In der heutigen Leistungsgesellschaft ist es schwer, wirklich auszuspannen."

Understanding these contexts helps you choose the right word. If you are at a party, you 'amüsieren' yourself. If you are at a spa, you 'entspannen' or 'ausspannen'. If you are taking a nap, you 'ruhen sich aus'. The nuance of ausspannen is specifically the 'release from the harness of duty'.

For learners of German, ausspannen presents a few linguistic traps. The most common error is confusing it with its close relatives entspannen, ausruhen, and abspannen. While they all relate to rest, their grammatical structures and nuances differ significantly. Using them interchangeably can lead to confusion or sounding unnatural.

Mistake 1: Reflexive Overuse
Learners often say "Ich spanne mich aus." This is incorrect. Unlike 'sich entspannen' or 'sich ausruhen', 'ausspannen' is almost always used without the reflexive pronoun 'sich' when it means to relax.
Mistake 2: Confusing with 'Abspannen'
'Abspannen' is rarely used as a verb for relaxing. However, the adjective 'abgespannt' means 'exhausted'. Don't say "Ich will abspannen" when you mean "I want to relax."
Mistake 3: Wrong Context for 'Partner'
If you say "Ich habe meinen Partner ausgespannt," it sounds like you stole your own partner from yourself. Remember: you 'ausspannen' someone *from* someone else (Dative).

Incorrect: "Ich muss mich nach der Arbeit ausspannen."
Correct: "Ich muss nach der Arbeit ausspannen."

Another subtle mistake is using ausspannen for very short breaks. If you take a 5-minute coffee break, you wouldn't typically use ausspannen; eine Pause machen is more appropriate. Ausspannen implies a more substantial period of time—an evening, a weekend, or a vacation. It is about the 'quality' of the rest, not just the 'stopping' of an activity.

In written German, especially in exams, learners sometimes forget that ausspannen is a separable verb. In a subordinate clause, the prefix joins the verb at the end: "...weil ich am Wochenende ausspanne." In a main clause: "Ich spanne am Wochenende aus." Forgetting to move the 'aus' to the end is a classic A2/B1 error that persists if not corrected early.

Incorrect: "Ich habe ein Netz geausspannt."
Correct: "Ich habe ein Netz ausgespannt."

Finally, be careful with the 'relationship' meaning. If you use it jokingly, make sure the context is clear. Because it implies 'stealing' or 'luring away', it can be quite offensive if used in the wrong company. It’s not a neutral word for 'starting a relationship with someone who was previously taken'. It’s a word that assigns blame or highlights the 'theft'.

German has a rich vocabulary for 'rest' and 'relaxation'. Understanding how ausspannen fits into this semantic field will help you sound more like a native speaker. While ausspannen focuses on the release from duty, other words emphasize different aspects of the recovery process.

Entspannen
Focuses on the release of tension (physical or mental). Often reflexive: 'sich entspannen'. It's the most general term for 'to relax'.
Ausruhen
Focuses on physical rest. You 'ausruhen' your body after a hike or a long day. Usually reflexive: 'sich ausruhen'.
Erholen
Focuses on recovery and getting your strength back (e.g., after an illness or a very stressful year). Usually reflexive: 'sich erholen'.
Abschalten
Literally 'to switch off'. Focuses on the mental act of stopping thoughts about work or problems.

"Manche Leute entspannen beim Sport, andere müssen einfach nur auf dem Sofa ausspannen."

— Comparing different modes of relaxation.

Then there are more idiomatic expressions. Die Seele baumeln lassen (to let the soul dangle) is a beautiful, very common alternative to ausspannen. It suggests a state of carefree relaxation, often in nature. Sich eine Auszeit nehmen (to take a timeout) is more formal and often refers to a longer period, like a sabbatical or a week off.

In the context of 'stretching' or 'spreading', synonyms include ausbreiten (to spread out) or aufspannen (to open up, like an umbrella). While ausspannen implies a certain tension (like a net), ausbreiten is more about surface area (like a blanket on the grass). Using the wrong one can make a sentence sound technically 'off'.

"Nach dem Marathon muss ich mich tagelang erholen, aber heute will ich nur kurz ausruhen."

Finally, the word relaxen has entered the German language from English. It is very common in casual conversation among younger people. However, ausspannen remains the more 'German' and slightly more evocative choice, carrying with it that sense of tradition and the deep relief of the unharnessed horse. Choosing ausspannen over relaxen can often make your German sound more sophisticated and culturally grounded.

How Formal Is It?

Formel

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Informel

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Niveau de difficulté

Grammaire à connaître

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Exemples par niveau

1

Ich will am Sonntag ausspannen.

I want to relax on Sunday.

Separable verb: 'aus' is at the end.

2

Spanne am Wochenende gut aus!

Relax well on the weekend!

Imperative form.

3

Wir können hier schön ausspannen.

We can relax nicely here.

Infinitive with modal verb 'können'.

4

Ich habe heute nicht ausgespannt.

I didn't relax today.

Perfect tense: aus-ge-spannt.

5

Wann spannst du aus?

When do you relax?

Question with separable verb.

6

Er spannt im Urlaub aus.

He relaxes on vacation.

3rd person singular present.

7

Morgen spanne ich aus.

Tomorrow I will relax.

Future meaning using present tense.

8

Sie will nur ausspannen.

She just wants to relax.

Modal verb 'wollen' + infinitive.

1

Nach der Arbeit muss ich erst mal ausspannen.

After work, I first have to relax.

Modal verb 'müssen'.

2

Wir haben im Garten ein Netz ausgespannt.

We stretched a net in the garden.

Transitive use (stretching something).

3

Es ist wichtig, mal richtig auszuspannen.

It is important to really relax for once.

Infinitive with 'zu' (auszuspannen).

4

Warum spannst du nicht mal aus?

Why don't you relax for a change?

Negative question.

5

Am Meer kann man wunderbar ausspannen.

You can relax wonderfully by the sea.

Impersonal 'man'.

6

Ich habe das ganze Wochenende nur ausgespannt.

I just relaxed the whole weekend.

Perfect tense with 'nur'.

7

Komm, wir gehen in den Park zum Ausspannen.

Come, let's go to the park to relax.

Nominalized verb (zum Ausspannen).

8

Er spannt seine Muskeln aus.

He relaxes his muscles.

Transitive use (physical).

1

Ich brauche dringend Urlaub, um mal wieder richtig auszuspannen.

I urgently need a vacation to really relax again.

Final clause with 'um... zu'.

2

Nachdem er die Pferde ausgespannt hatte, ging er ins Haus.

After he had unharnessed the horses, he went into the house.

Literal use, past perfect.

3

Sie hat ihrem Ex-Freund die neue Freundin ausgespannt.

She stole the new girlfriend from her ex-boyfriend.

Idiomatic use (stealing a partner).

4

In diesem Wellness-Hotel kann man herrlich ausspannen.

In this wellness hotel, one can relax magnificently.

Compound noun 'Wellness-Hotel'.

5

Wenn ich gestresst bin, kann ich nicht gut ausspannen.

When I am stressed, I cannot relax well.

Conditional clause with 'wenn'.

6

Er hat das Seil zwischen den Bäumen ausgespannt.

He stretched the rope between the trees.

Transitive use (physical tension).

7

Wir sollten am Wochenende mal zusammen ausspannen.

We should relax together on the weekend.

Subjunctive II (Konjunktiv II) for suggestion.

8

Das Ausspannen fällt mir nach einer harten Woche schwer.

Relaxing is hard for me after a tough week.

Nominalized verb as subject.

1

Die Seele baumeln zu lassen ist die beste Art auszuspannen.

Letting the soul dangle is the best way to relax.

Idiom combined with 'ausspannen'.

2

Bevor wir das Zelt aufbauen, müssen wir die Plane ausspannen.

Before we set up the tent, we have to stretch out the tarp.

Technical use (stretching).

3

Es wurde gemunkelt, dass sie ihm den Mann ausgespannt hat.

It was rumored that she stole the husband from him.

Passive voice + subordinate clause.

4

Ein verlängertes Wochenende reicht oft nicht aus, um wirklich auszuspannen.

A long weekend is often not enough to really relax.

Negative result clause.

5

Nachdem die Ochsen ausgespannt waren, durften sie auf die Weide.

After the oxen were unharnessed, they were allowed onto the pasture.

Passive state (Zustandspassiv).

6

Ich fühle mich total abgespannt und muss dringend ausspannen.

I feel totally exhausted and urgently need to relax.

Adjective 'abgespannt' vs verb 'ausspannen'.

7

Man kann die Leinwand mit Keilen fester ausspannen.

One can stretch the canvas tighter with wedges.

Technical artistic context.

8

Er versuchte, durch Meditation auszuspannen, aber es gelang ihm nicht.

He tried to relax through meditation, but he didn't succeed.

Concessive connection.

1

In der Hektik des Alltags vergessen viele, wie man richtig ausspannt.

In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, many forget how to relax properly.

Indirect question clause.

2

Die historische Bedeutung von 'ausspannen' bezieht sich auf das Ende der Feldarbeit.

The historical meaning of 'ausspannen' refers to the end of field work.

Abstract noun 'Bedeutung'.

3

Sie hat eine unglaubliche Fähigkeit, selbst in Krisenzeiten auszuspannen.

She has an incredible ability to relax even in times of crisis.

Noun-infinitive construction.

4

Das Sonnensegel wurde so weit ausgespannt, dass die gesamte Terrasse im Schatten lag.

The sun sail was stretched so far that the entire terrace was in the shade.

Consecutive clause (so... dass).

5

Es ist eine Frechheit, jemandem nach so vielen Jahren den Partner auszuspannen.

It is an insolence to steal someone's partner after so many years.

Evaluative 'Es ist eine...' construction.

6

Die Maschine muss erst ausgespannt werden, bevor das Werkstück entnommen werden kann.

The machine must first be unclamped before the workpiece can be removed.

Technical passive voice.

7

Trotz des Lärms gelang es ihm, für ein paar Minuten völlig auszuspannen.

Despite the noise, he managed to relax completely for a few minutes.

Preposition 'trotz' + genitive.

8

Die psychologische Komponente des Ausspannens wird oft unterschätzt.

The psychological component of relaxing is often underestimated.

Genitive attribute.

1

Das archaische Bild des Ausspannens der Zugtiere dient als Metapher für die moderne Erholung.

The archaic image of unharnessing draft animals serves as a metaphor for modern relaxation.

Complex nominal phrase.

2

Wer anderen den Partner ausspannt, muss mit gesellschaftlicher Ächtung rechnen.

Whoever steals someone else's partner must expect social ostracization.

Relative clause with 'Wer'.

3

Die filigrane Struktur wurde mittels feiner Drähte im Raum ausgespannt.

The delicate structure was stretched in the room using fine wires.

Preposition 'mittels' + genitive.

4

In seinem neuen Roman thematisiert der Autor das Unvermögen der Oberschicht, wirklich auszuspannen.

In his new novel, the author addresses the upper class's inability to truly relax.

Sophisticated vocabulary (thematisieren, Unvermögen).

5

Nach der Entspannung der politischen Lage wurden die Sicherheitsnetze wieder ausgespannt.

After the political situation eased, the safety nets were stretched out again.

Metaphorical use in politics.

6

Es bedarf einer gewissen inneren Ruhe, um in einer solch prekären Situation auszuspannen.

It requires a certain inner peace to relax in such a precarious situation.

Verb 'bedürfen' + genitive.

7

Die Ambivalenz des Begriffs 'ausspannen' zeigt sich in seinen gegensätzlichen Anwendungsbereichen.

The ambivalence of the term 'ausspannen' is evident in its contrasting areas of application.

Abstract academic style.

8

Hätte er früher ausgespannt, wäre es vielleicht nicht zum Burnout gekommen.

Had he relaxed earlier, the burnout might not have happened.

Irreal conditional (Konjunktiv II).

Collocations courantes

richtig ausspannen
mal wieder ausspannen
am Wochenende ausspannen
im Urlaub ausspannen
nach der Arbeit ausspannen
dringend ausspannen müssen
ein Netz ausspannen
die Pferde ausspannen
jemandem die Freundin ausspannen
einfach nur ausspannen

Phrases Courantes

Ich muss mal wieder richtig ausspannen.

Lass uns am Wochenende schön ausspannen.

Hast du im Urlaub gut ausgespannt?

Er hat ihr den Freund ausgespannt.

Die Wäscheleine wurde im Garten ausgespannt.

Man muss auch mal ausspannen können.

Nach dem Projekt werden wir erst mal ausspannen.

Wir haben ein Sonnensegel ausgespannt.

Er spannt die Ochsen aus.

Sie will nur ihre Ruhe haben und ausspannen.

Souvent confondu avec

ausspannen vs entspannen

Entspannen is often reflexive and refers to releasing tension. Ausspannen is more about taking a break from duty.

ausspannen vs ausruhen

Ausruhen is purely physical rest (sitting, sleeping). Ausspannen is more mental/lifestyle-oriented.

ausspannen vs abspannen

Abspannen is rarely used as a verb for rest; 'abgespannt' (adjective) means exhausted.

Expressions idiomatiques

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Facile à confondre

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Structures de phrases

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Comment l'utiliser

intensity

'Richtig ausspannen' implies a deep, meaningful rest.

reflexive

Rarely reflexive. 'Ich entspanne mich' is common, but 'Ich spanne aus' is the standard for 'ausspannen'.

negativity

The relationship meaning is almost always negative/judgmental.

Erreurs courantes

  • Ausspannen is not reflexive when it means to relax.

  • In separable verbs, 'ge' goes between the prefix and the stem.

  • The 'zu' goes inside the verb (auszuspannen) or is not needed with modal verbs.

  • The person you steal from must be in the Dative case (mir).

  • Ausspannen is for longer periods of rest, not short breaks.

Astuces

Vacation Context

Always use 'ausspannen' when talking about your holiday goals. It shows you understand the German value of deep recovery. It sounds more sophisticated than just saying 'schlafen' or 'nichts tun'.

Separable Verb Rule

Remember that in a normal sentence, 'aus' goes to the very end. 'Ich spanne am Wochenende im Garten aus.' Don't let other words get in the way of that final 'aus'!

Relationship Warning

Be careful with 'jemandem den Partner ausspannen'. It's a very specific, slightly aggressive idiom. Only use it if you are sure about the context of 'stealing' a partner from someone else.

Stress the Prefix

In German separable verbs, the stress is almost always on the prefix. Say **AUS**-span-nen. This helps listeners identify the verb immediately, even before you reach the end of the sentence.

Infinitive with 'zu'

When using 'ausspannen' with 'zu', it becomes 'auszuspannen'. For example: 'Es ist schön, mal wieder auszuspannen.' Note that it is written as one single word.

Feierabend

Pair 'ausspannen' with 'Feierabend'. 'Nach Feierabend will ich nur noch ausspannen.' This is a very common and natural-sounding phrase in a German work environment.

The Horse Image

If you forget the meaning, visualize a horse being unharnessed. That 'release' of the heavy load is exactly what 'ausspannen' feels like for a person.

Mix it up

Don't just use 'entspannen'. Using 'ausspannen' makes your German sound more varied and natural. It's a great way to level up from A2 to B1/B2.

Context Clues

If you hear 'ausspannen' in a shop or factory, look for something being released or unclamped. The physical meaning is still very much alive in technical German.

Word Family

Learn 'ausspannen' along with 'Anspannung' (tension) and 'Entspannung' (relaxation). Seeing them as a family makes it much easier to remember the core concept of 'tension'.

Mémorise-le

Origine du mot

Middle High German 'ūzspannen'

Contexte culturel

Relaxing often involves 'Wandern' (hiking) or being in nature, where one can 'ausspannen' best.

Taking time to 'ausspannen' often means turning off the phone and being unavailable.

Germans work hard but also value 'quality rest'. 'Ausspannen' is the reward for hard work.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Amorces de conversation

"Was machst du am liebsten, um mal so richtig auszuspannen?"

"Wo kann man in deiner Stadt am besten ausspannen?"

"Findest du es wichtig, am Wochenende komplett von der Arbeit abzuschalten und auszuspannen?"

"Hast du schon mal jemandem den Partner ausgespannt oder ist dir das passiert?"

"Wie lange brauchst du im Urlaub, bis du wirklich ausspannen kannst?"

Sujets d'écriture

Beschreibe deinen perfekten Tag zum Ausspannen.

Warum fällt es vielen Menschen heute so schwer, wirklich auszuspannen?

Erinnere dich an eine Situation, in der du dich total abgespannt gefühlt hast. Was hast du getan?

Ist 'ausspannen' für dich eher etwas Passives (Schlafen) oder Aktives (Sport)?

Was bedeutet das Bild des 'ausgespannten Pferdes' für unsere moderne Arbeitswelt?

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Yes, they are very similar in meaning. However, 'ausspannen' is more traditional and carries the metaphor of unharnessing from work. 'Relaxen' is an anglicism and is used more casually by younger people. In a professional or formal context, 'ausspannen' or 'sich erholen' is preferred.

No, that is a common mistake. Unlike 'sich entspannen', the verb 'ausspannen' is used without the reflexive pronoun 'mich'. You simply say 'Ich spanne aus'. Using 'mich' sounds unnatural to native speakers.

This is an idiomatic use meaning to lure someone's romantic partner away. It implies that you 'stole' them from their current relationship. It is a strong term and usually carries a negative connotation of betrayal or scandal.

Usually, no. 'Ausspannen' implies a longer period of rest, like an evening, a weekend, or a vacation. For a short break at work, Germans typically say 'eine Pause machen' or 'kurz verschnaufen'.

It is 'ausgespannt'. Since 'ausspannen' is a separable verb, the 'ge-' prefix in the perfect tense is placed between the separable prefix 'aus-' and the verb stem 'spannen'.

'Ausruhen' focuses on physical recovery, like lying down after a long walk. 'Ausspannen' is more about the mental release from work and duties, often involving a change of environment or a vacation.

No, you usually 'aufbauen' (set up) a tent. However, you can 'die Plane ausspannen' (stretch the tarp) or 'ein Netz ausspannen' (stretch a net). It refers to the physical act of creating tension.

Yes, it is a very common B1-level word. You will hear it frequently in conversations about free time, holidays, and work-life balance. It is a staple of everyday German vocabulary.

'Abgespannt' is an adjective derived from a similar root that means 'exhausted' or 'worn out'. If you feel 'abgespannt', you definitely need to 'ausspannen'.

Yes, in engineering or manufacturing, it means to unclamp or release a workpiece from a machine. It is the opposite of 'einspannen' (to clamp in).

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