In 15 Seconds
- Used for leaving hotels, Airbnbs, or ending a digital session.
- A casual way to say 'let's go look at that.'
- A separable verb where 'aus' moves to the end.
Meaning
It's the German way of saying 'to check out.' You use it when leaving a hotel or when you want to take a look at something interesting.
Key Examples
3 of 6At a hotel reception
Wir möchten jetzt gerne auschecken.
We would like to check out now.
Texting a friend about a new club
Wir müssen unbedingt den neuen Club auschecken!
We definitely have to check out the new club!
Asking a colleague about their trip
Wann musst du morgen im Hotel auschecken?
When do you have to check out of the hotel tomorrow?
Cultural Background
Punctuality is key. If the {der|m} Check-out is at 11:00, Germans expect you to be at the desk by 11:00. Late check-outs are often charged strictly. Using 'auschecken' or 'abchecken' makes you sound 'hip'. It's part of a larger trend of using English verbs with German grammar. In tech startups, 'auschecken' is used for Git, but in traditional 'Mittelstand' companies, they might prefer 'den {der|m} Code herunterladen'. In Alpine regions, you might hear the more traditional 'abreisen' alongside 'auschecken', especially in family-run pensions.
The 'ge' sandwich
Always remember that for 'auschecken', the 'ge' goes in the middle: aus-ge-checkt. This is a rule for all separable verbs!
Not for Apps
Don't tell your German friends you are 'auschecking' from Instagram. They will be confused. Use 'ausloggen'.
In 15 Seconds
- Used for leaving hotels, Airbnbs, or ending a digital session.
- A casual way to say 'let's go look at that.'
- A separable verb where 'aus' moves to the end.
What It Means
auschecken is a classic piece of 'Denglisch.' It blends the English verb 'check' with German grammar. Primarily, it means leaving your accommodation after a stay. However, younger Germans use it metaphorically too. It can mean inspecting a new place or a cool object. It is functional, modern, and very easy to remember. Think of it as the international traveler's favorite German verb.
How To Use It
This is a separable verb. That means the aus part flies to the end of the sentence. You say Ich checke aus (I am checking out). In the past tense, it becomes ausgecheckt. You will often see it paired with im Hotel. If you are looking at something, you might say etwas auschecken. It follows standard German conjugation rules for regular verbs. Just don't forget to move that aus!
When To Use It
Use it every time you leave a hotel or Airbnb. It is the standard term at reception desks. You can also use it when browsing a new store. 'Hey, let's check out that gallery' becomes Lass uns die Galerie auschecken. It works perfectly in travel contexts. Use it when talking about flights or digital systems too. It feels active and efficient. It’s great for making plans with friends.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for 'checking' a box on a list. For that, use abhaken. Avoid it in very traditional, high-level academic writing. Your 80-year-old great-aunt might prefer the word abreisen. It is not used for 'checking' someone's health. In those cases, use untersuchen. It is a bit too casual for a legal contract. Keep it to travel and social life.
Cultural Background
Germany loves borrowing English tech and travel terms. auschecken became popular as international travel boomed. It reflects the modern, globalized side of German culture. You will hear it in every major city from Berlin to Munich. It shows how German adapts to the modern world. It is part of the 'Denglisch' wave that started in the 90s. Now, it is a permanent part of the language.
Common Variations
You might hear abchecken quite often. abchecken is more about verifying or 'scoping out' a situation. einchecken is the obvious opposite for arriving. Some people use auschecken to mean 'mentally leaving' a conversation. If someone is staring into space, they have ausgecheckt. It is a versatile little word for your vocabulary.
Usage Notes
It is a neutral-to-informal verb. While perfectly fine for travel and daily life, avoid it in formal legal documents or very traditional literature.
The 'ge' sandwich
Always remember that for 'auschecken', the 'ge' goes in the middle: aus-ge-checkt. This is a rule for all separable verbs!
Not for Apps
Don't tell your German friends you are 'auschecking' from Instagram. They will be confused. Use 'ausloggen'.
Slang usage
Using 'Check das mal aus' is a great way to sound more like a native speaker in casual settings.
Hotel bill
When you 'auschecken', you usually ask for 'die {die|f} Rechnung' (the bill).
Examples
6Wir möchten jetzt gerne auschecken.
We would like to check out now.
The most common and standard way to use the phrase.
Wir müssen unbedingt den neuen Club auschecken!
We definitely have to check out the new club!
Here it means 'to go see' or 'to explore.'
Wann musst du morgen im Hotel auschecken?
When do you have to check out of the hotel tomorrow?
Standard travel-related question in a work context.
Es ist mir zu laut, ich checke für heute aus.
It's too loud for me, I'm checking out for today.
Used metaphorically to mean leaving or stopping an activity.
Mein Kopf ist voll, ich bin total ausgecheckt.
My head is full, I'm totally checked out.
Describes a state of mental fatigue or disconnection.
Ich habe schon online ausgecheckt.
I have already checked out online.
Refers to the digital process of leaving a hotel.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'auschecken' in the present tense.
Wir _______ morgen um 10 Uhr ______.
In the present tense, the separable verb 'auschecken' splits, and 'aus' goes to the end.
Which sentence is grammatically correct in the past tense?
A) Ich habe geauscheckt. B) Ich habe ausgecheckt. C) Ich habe auscheckt.
For separable verbs, the 'ge' is placed between the prefix and the verb stem.
Match the sentence to the correct context.
1. 'Check mal das {das|n} Video aus!' | 2. 'Ich möchte bitte auschecken.'
'Check mal...' is informal slang, while 'Ich möchte...' is a standard request at a hotel.
Complete the dialogue.
Gast: 'Können wir etwas später _______?' | Rezeptionist: 'Ja, bis 12 Uhr ist das kein Problem.'
After the modal verb 'können', the main verb 'auschecken' must be in the infinitive at the end of the sentence.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesWir _______ morgen um 10 Uhr ______.
In the present tense, the separable verb 'auschecken' splits, and 'aus' goes to the end.
A) Ich habe geauscheckt. B) Ich habe ausgecheckt. C) Ich habe auscheckt.
For separable verbs, the 'ge' is placed between the prefix and the verb stem.
1. 'Check mal das {das|n} Video aus!' | 2. 'Ich möchte bitte auschecken.'
'Check mal...' is informal slang, while 'Ich möchte...' is a standard request at a hotel.
Gast: 'Können wir etwas später _______?' | Rezeptionist: 'Ja, bis 12 Uhr ist das kein Problem.'
After the modal verb 'können', the main verb 'auschecken' must be in the infinitive at the end of the sentence.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsYes, it is a fully integrated loanword from English, recognized by the Duden (the German dictionary).
No, for books you use 'ausleihen' (to borrow).
The opposite is 'einchecken' (to check in).
Not rude, but very casual. Use it with friends, not with your grandmother or boss.
You say 'Ich habe ausgecheckt.'
No, for that you use 'abhaken'.
No, 'auschecken' does not have the 'to die' connotation in German.
It is 'auschecken aus' (e.g., aus dem Hotel).
Usually, you 'checken ein' for a flight, but you don't really 'auschecken'—you just leave the airport.
Almost. 'Abchecken' is even more informal and often means 'to verify' or 'to scan'.
The noun is 'der {der|m} Check-out'.
Yes, it is masculine: der Check-out.
Related Phrases
einchecken
contrastTo check in (hotel/airport).
abchecken
similarTo check something out / verify the vibe.
durchchecken
specialized formTo check thoroughly (e.g., a car).
sich abmelden
similarTo log out / sign off.
besichtigen
similarTo visit/view (a sight).
