In 15 Seconds
- Used for laws, rules, or contracts that are no longer valid.
- Literally means 'to be out of force' or authority.
- Common in professional, legal, and bureaucratic contexts.
Meaning
This phrase describes something that is no longer in effect or has lost its legal power. Think of it like a rule, a law, or a contract that has simply 'expired' or been turned off.
Key Examples
3 of 6Discussing office policies
Die alte Homeoffice-Regelung ist seit gestern außer Kraft.
The old home office regulation has been invalid since yesterday.
Talking about a canceled law
Das Gesetz ist wegen des Gerichtsurteils nun außer Kraft.
The law is now invalid due to the court ruling.
Texting a friend about a parking rule
Am Wochenende ist die Parkordnung hier außer Kraft.
On weekends, the parking regulations here are not in effect.
Cultural Background
In Germany, legal changes are published in the 'Bundesgesetzblatt'. A law only goes 'außer Kraft' when a new law explicitly says so. Similar to Germany, but Austrians might use 'außer Wirksamkeit' in very formal legal documents. In Swiss German, you might hear 'nümme gälte' (nicht mehr gelten) more often in semi-formal contexts. In international sports broadcasts in German, commentators use this phrase when VAR (Video Assistant Referee) is temporarily unavailable.
Use it in Exams
Using 'außer Kraft' instead of 'gilt nicht mehr' in the B2 writing exam will significantly boost your 'vocabulary range' score.
Don't pluralize
Never say 'außer Kräften' unless you are talking about being physically exhausted (an old-fashioned idiom).
In 15 Seconds
- Used for laws, rules, or contracts that are no longer valid.
- Literally means 'to be out of force' or authority.
- Common in professional, legal, and bureaucratic contexts.
What It Means
Imagine a machine that has been unplugged. It still looks the same, but it doesn't do anything anymore. That is exactly what außer Kraft sein feels like. In German, Kraft means power or force. When something is außer Kraft, it has lost its authority. It is usually used for rules, laws, or official agreements. If a law is außer Kraft, you don't have to follow it anymore. It is the opposite of in Kraft sein, which means something is active and valid.
How To Use It
You will mostly use this phrase with a subject like das Gesetz (the law) or die Regel (the rule). It follows the standard sentence structure with sein (to be). You can change the tense easily. For example, Das Gesetz ist außer Kraft (The law is invalid) or Die Regel war außer Kraft (The rule was invalid). It sounds a bit official, but it is very clear. Use it when you want to sound like you know exactly what the current status of a situation is.
When To Use It
Use this in professional settings or when discussing rules. If you are at work and a new policy replaces an old one, the old one is außer Kraft. You might also see this in the news regarding government mandates. It is perfect for situations involving contracts or memberships. If your gym membership has ended, you could technically say the contract is außer Kraft. It makes you sound very precise and knowledgeable about your rights.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for physical objects or people. If your phone battery dies, it is not außer Kraft. It is just leer. If you are exhausted after a long run, you aren't außer Kraft either. You are erschöpft. Also, avoid using it for social plans. If you cancel coffee with a friend, the meeting isn't außer Kraft. That would sound like you are treating your friendship like a legal trial. Stick to rules and official documents.
Cultural Background
Germans are known for loving their rules and regulations. Because of this, the language has very specific ways to describe when those rules start and end. Außer Kraft sein is part of this legalistic precision. It reflects a culture that values clarity in administration. There is a sense of relief when a strict regulation is finally außer Kraft. It marks a clear boundary between what was required and what is now allowed.
Common Variations
You will often hear the active version: außer Kraft setzen. This means 'to suspend' or 'to deactivate' something. While sein describes the state, setzen describes the action of making it invalid. For example, 'The boss suspended the dress code.' Another variation is ungültig sein, which is more common in daily life for things like bus tickets or coupons. Außer Kraft carries more weight and authority.
Usage Notes
This phrase is primarily formal and bureaucratic. While it is perfectly understood in casual conversation, it often carries a slightly ironic or very serious tone when used outside of legal contexts.
Use it in Exams
Using 'außer Kraft' instead of 'gilt nicht mehr' in the B2 writing exam will significantly boost your 'vocabulary range' score.
Don't pluralize
Never say 'außer Kräften' unless you are talking about being physically exhausted (an old-fashioned idiom).
News Anchor Speak
Listen for this phrase on 'Tagesschau'. It is one of the most common phrases used by news anchors when reporting on parliament.
Examples
6Die alte Homeoffice-Regelung ist seit gestern außer Kraft.
The old home office regulation has been invalid since yesterday.
Refers to a specific company policy that changed.
Das Gesetz ist wegen des Gerichtsurteils nun außer Kraft.
The law is now invalid due to the court ruling.
A classic legal use of the phrase.
Am Wochenende ist die Parkordnung hier außer Kraft.
On weekends, the parking regulations here are not in effect.
Informal use regarding local rules.
Heute ist mein Diät-Plan offiziell außer Kraft!
Today my diet plan is officially suspended!
Treating a personal goal like a formal law for comedic effect.
Dieser Vertragsteil ist schon lange außer Kraft.
This part of the contract has been invalid for a long time.
Used to clarify terms in a disagreement.
Endlich sind die strengen Beschränkungen außer Kraft.
Finally, the strict restrictions are no longer in effect.
Conveys a sense of freedom or relief.
Test Yourself
Füllen Sie die Lücke mit der richtigen Form von 'außer Kraft sein'.
Seit dem neuen Urteil _________ der alte Paragraph _________.
The idiom uses the auxiliary verb 'sein'.
In welcher Situation ist der Satz korrekt?
Satz: 'Diese Regelung ist ab morgen außer Kraft.'
'Außer Kraft' refers to rules and laws.
Verbinden Sie das Gegenteil.
Gegenteile finden:
These are the standard antonym pairs in legal German.
Welches Wort passt am besten?
Wenn ein Vertrag endet, ist er...
Contracts fall under the category of legal validity.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Außer Kraft vs. Außer Betrieb
Practice Bank
4 exercisesSeit dem neuen Urteil _________ der alte Paragraph _________.
The idiom uses the auxiliary verb 'sein'.
Satz: 'Diese Regelung ist ab morgen außer Kraft.'
'Außer Kraft' refers to rules and laws.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the standard antonym pairs in legal German.
Wenn ein Vertrag endet, ist er...
Contracts fall under the category of legal validity.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, use 'kaputt' or 'außer Betrieb'. 'Außer Kraft' is only for rules, laws, and contracts.
Yes, it is formal. In casual speech, Germans usually say 'Das gilt nicht mehr'.
The opposite is 'in Kraft sein' (to be in effect).
Yes, 'außer' is a dative preposition, but 'Kraft' doesn't change its ending in the singular.
Yes! 'Außer Kraft treten' is the process of becoming invalid, while 'außer Kraft sein' is the state of being invalid.
Yes, frequently, to describe rules that are suspended for a specific event.
'Nichtig' means it was never valid. 'Außer Kraft' means it was valid once but isn't anymore.
Only as a joke. 'Unsere Beziehungsregeln sind außer Kraft.' It sounds very robotic and funny.
Use the active form: 'ein Gesetz außer Kraft setzen'.
Yes, it is {die|f} Kraft.
Related Phrases
in Kraft treten
contrastTo come into effect.
außer Kraft setzen
builds onTo repeal or invalidate something.
außer Betrieb sein
similarTo be out of order (machines).
hinfällig sein
synonymTo be obsolete or irrelevant.
