In 15 Seconds
- To physically slip on ice, water, or a smooth surface.
- Used with 'sein' in the past tense: 'Ich bin ausgerutscht'.
- Can metaphorically describe a minor social mistake or blunder.
Meaning
It describes that sudden, heart-stopping moment when your feet lose their grip on a slippery surface. It is mostly used for physical slips on ice or wet floors, but it can also mean a small social mistake.
Key Examples
3 of 6Warning a friend on a winter walk
Vorsicht, hier ist es glatt, pass auf, dass du nicht ausrutschst!
Careful, it's slippery here, watch out that you don't slip!
Explaining a minor injury to a doctor
Ich bin gestern im Badezimmer ausgerutscht.
I slipped in the bathroom yesterday.
Apologizing for a social blunder
Das war ein kleiner Ausrutscher, das wollte ich nicht sagen.
That was a little slip-up, I didn't mean to say that.
Cultural Background
The 'Streupflicht' is a serious matter. If you don't put salt or sand on your sidewalk by 7:00 AM and someone slips, you are in big trouble. In the Alps, 'ausrutschen' is a daily risk in winter. Austrians often have specific winter tires and shoes to avoid this. Swiss German might use 'uusgliite', but 'ausrutschen' is perfectly understood in High German contexts. Physical comedy in Germany often involves 'ausrutschen', especially on banana peels, which is a trope in older cartoons and sketches.
Auxiliary Verb
Always use 'sein'. If you say 'Ich habe ausgerutscht', Germans will think you finished sliding something else out.
Social Softener
Use the noun 'Ausrutscher' to make your mistakes sound smaller and more accidental.
In 15 Seconds
- To physically slip on ice, water, or a smooth surface.
- Used with 'sein' in the past tense: 'Ich bin ausgerutscht'.
- Can metaphorically describe a minor social mistake or blunder.
What It Means
Ausrutschen is that classic slapstick moment. You are walking along, and suddenly, gravity wins. It literally means to slip or skid. Think of a banana peel or a patch of black ice in Berlin. It is a very physical verb. You can also use it for a 'slip of the tongue.' It describes something accidental and usually a bit embarrassing.
How To Use It
This verb uses the auxiliary sein. You say Ich bin ausgerutscht, not Ich habe ausgerutscht. It is a separable verb. In a simple sentence, the aus goes to the end. For example: Pass auf, du rutschst auf dem Eis aus! It is very common in the past tense. Most people only talk about it after they have already fallen. Use it when the movement is unintentional.
When To Use It
You will use this constantly during German winters. The sidewalks get very icy. You might use it at a swimming pool. You could use it when texting a friend why you are late. 'Sorry, I slipped and had to change my pants.' It is also perfect for social blunders. If you accidentally call your boss 'Mom,' that is a small Ausrutscher.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use ausrutschen for intentional sliding. If you are at a water park, use rutschen. Do not use it for major car accidents. For cars, we usually say ins Schleudern geraten. It is also not for 'tripping' over an object. If you hit a stone, use stolpern. Ausrutschen is strictly for slippery surfaces.
Cultural Background
Germans take winter safety very seriously. There are strict laws about clearing snow from your sidewalk. If someone slips (ausrutschen) in front of your house, you might be liable. This makes the word a hot topic in legal and neighborly chats. Also, the New Year's greeting Guten Rutsch comes from a similar root. It literally wishes you a 'good slide' into the next year.
Common Variations
The noun form is der Ausrutscher. This is great for metaphorical mistakes. You might say, 'That comment was just a little Ausrutscher.' It implies the mistake was a one-time thing. It makes the error sound less serious and more like an accident. Use it to apologize gracefully for a minor slip-up.
Usage Notes
The word is neutral and safe for all situations. Just be careful with the auxiliary verb 'sein' and remember it's a separable verb in the present tense.
Auxiliary Verb
Always use 'sein'. If you say 'Ich habe ausgerutscht', Germans will think you finished sliding something else out.
Social Softener
Use the noun 'Ausrutscher' to make your mistakes sound smaller and more accidental.
Guten Rutsch
Don't confuse 'ausrutschen' with the New Year's wish 'Guten Rutsch!'. You don't want people to slip on New Year's!
Examples
6Vorsicht, hier ist es glatt, pass auf, dass du nicht ausrutschst!
Careful, it's slippery here, watch out that you don't slip!
A very common warning during German winters.
Ich bin gestern im Badezimmer ausgerutscht.
I slipped in the bathroom yesterday.
Uses 'sein' as the auxiliary verb in the Perfekt tense.
Das war ein kleiner Ausrutscher, das wollte ich nicht sagen.
That was a little slip-up, I didn't mean to say that.
Uses the noun form 'Ausrutscher' for a metaphorical slip.
Bin gerade voll auf einer Bananenschale ausgerutscht. Wie im Film!
I just totally slipped on a banana peel. Just like in the movies!
Informal use with 'voll' for emphasis.
Hoffentlich rutsche ich auf diesem polierten Boden nicht aus.
Hopefully I don't slip on this polished floor.
Expressing anxiety about physical clumsiness in a formal setting.
Der Torwart ist im entscheidenden Moment ausgerutscht.
The goalkeeper slipped at the decisive moment.
Common in sports commentary for literal slips.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct auxiliary verb for the perfect tense.
Gestern ___ ich auf der Straße ausgerutscht.
Verbs of motion like 'ausrutschen' always use 'sein'.
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'ausrutschen'.
Pass auf! Du ___ gleich ___!
In the present tense, the separable verb splits.
Match the sentence to the context.
1. 'Mir ist das Wort nur so rausgerutscht.' 2. 'Die Straße ist spiegelglatt.'
The first refers to a verbal slip, the second to icy conditions.
What is the most natural response?
A: Oh nein, ich habe deinen Geburtstag vergessen! B: Kein Problem, das war nur ein kleiner ___.
The noun 'Ausrutscher' is the standard way to refer to a minor mistake.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Where can you ausrutschen?
Surfaces
- • {das|n} Eis
- • {der|m} nasse Boden
- • {die|f} Bananenschale
Social
- • {die|f} Rede
- • {das|n} Gespräch
- • {das|n} Interview
Practice Bank
4 exercisesGestern ___ ich auf der Straße ausgerutscht.
Verbs of motion like 'ausrutschen' always use 'sein'.
Pass auf! Du ___ gleich ___!
In the present tense, the separable verb splits.
1. 'Mir ist das Wort nur so rausgerutscht.' 2. 'Die Straße ist spiegelglatt.'
The first refers to a verbal slip, the second to icy conditions.
A: Oh nein, ich habe deinen Geburtstag vergessen! B: Kein Problem, das war nur ein kleiner ___.
The noun 'Ausrutscher' is the standard way to refer to a minor mistake.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, it almost always implies an accident or a mistake, though it can be used humorously.
No, for a car you would use 'ins Schleudern geraten' (to skid).
'Ausgleiten' is more formal and often implies a more graceful or less violent slip than 'ausrutschen'.
You can say 'ein Versprecher' or use the phrase 'mir ist das Wort rausgerutscht'.
Because it's a verb indicating a change of position/state, which in German grammar requires 'sein'.
No, that would be very strange. You slip on surfaces.
Yes, very common for minor errors in sports, politics, and daily life.
Yes, 'die Ausrutscher'.
No, that's too serious. Use 'Absturz' or 'Einbruch'.
Yes, it is standard German used in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Related Phrases
ausgleiten
synonymTo slip (more formal)
stolpern
similarTo trip
hinfallen
builds onTo fall down
verrutschen
specialized formTo shift out of place
rausrutschen
specialized formTo slip out (words)
