In 15 Seconds
- To officially cancel or repeal a rule or law.
- Used for policies, contracts, or even personal house rules.
- Literally means 'to set out of force'.
Meaning
Imagine a rule or a law is like a machine that is currently running. When you use this phrase, you are effectively pulling the plug or hitting the 'off' switch so that the rule no longer has any power over people.
Key Examples
3 of 6A manager announcing a policy change
Die Geschäftsführung hat die Homeoffice-Pflicht außer Kraft gesetzt.
The management has repealed the work-from-home requirement.
Texting a friend about a diet
Heute ist mein Geburtstag, also setze ich meine Diät außer Kraft!
Today is my birthday, so I'm suspending my diet!
Discussing a legal change in the news
Das neue Gesetz setzt die alten Regelungen außer Kraft.
The new law repeals the old regulations.
Cultural Background
The concept of 'Rechtssicherheit' (legal certainty) is vital. Setting a law 'außer Kraft' is often seen as a drastic measure that requires a strong justification, such as a national crisis. EU regulations can sometimes 'außer Kraft setzen' national laws of member states. This is a frequent topic in European legal disputes. In German safety standards (DIN norms), 'außer Kraft setzen' is used to describe the intentional bypassing of safety circuits for maintenance. Romantic and Expressionist writers often used the phrase to describe how love or madness 'setzt {die|f} bürgerlichen {die|f} Gesetze außer Kraft' (suspends bourgeois laws).
Use Passive for News
In German news, you will almost always hear 'wurde außer Kraft gesetzt'. Mastering the passive voice with this phrase makes you sound very advanced.
No Article for Kraft
Never say 'außer die Kraft setzen'. The noun 'Kraft' in this idiom never takes an article.
In 15 Seconds
- To officially cancel or repeal a rule or law.
- Used for policies, contracts, or even personal house rules.
- Literally means 'to set out of force'.
What It Means
Think of außer Kraft setzen as the ultimate 'cancel' button for rules. In German, Kraft doesn't just mean physical strength; it refers to the legal 'force' or validity of a regulation. When something is außer Kraft, it means it’s no longer active. You aren't just breaking a rule. You are officially declaring that the rule doesn't exist anymore. It is like a referee blowing a whistle to stop a play permanently.
How To Use It
You use this phrase when you want to sound authoritative. The verb here is setzen, which means 'to set' or 'to put'. You place the object (the rule or law) between außer Kraft and setzen. For example: 'The boss set the dress code out of force.' In German, that becomes: Der Chef hat die Kleiderordnung außer Kraft gesetzt. It sounds very official. You can use it for big things like laws or small things like house rules.
When To Use It
This phrase is perfect for professional settings. Use it in a meeting when a policy changes. Use it when discussing politics or history. It also works great in a semi-serious way with friends. Maybe you have a 'no phones at the table' rule. If it's a special occasion, you can 'set that rule out of force' for the night. It adds a touch of mock-seriousness to the conversation.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for physical objects. You can't außer Kraft setzen a light bulb or a car engine. For those, you would use ausschalten (to turn off) or kaputt machen (to break). Also, avoid using it for people. You can't 'repeal' a person. It’s strictly for abstract things like laws, rules, contracts, or even physical laws like gravity in a sci-fi context.
Cultural Background
Germany is often stereotyped as a land of many rules. There is even a saying: Ordnung muss sein (There must be order). Because rules are taken seriously, the process of removing them is equally formal. This phrase reflects that structured mindset. It’s not just 'stopping' a rule; it’s a formal administrative act. It shows that even the chaos of removing a rule follows a specific linguistic order.
Common Variations
The most common opposite is in Kraft treten. This means a rule is 'stepping into force' or becoming active. You might also hear außer Kraft treten, which is the passive version. That’s when a rule expires on its own without someone actively 'setting' it out of force. It’s like the difference between 'I stopped the car' and 'The car stopped.'
Usage Notes
This is a B2-level collocation. It is primarily used in formal or professional contexts, but can be used humorously in casual speech to sound over-the-top authoritative.
Use Passive for News
In German news, you will almost always hear 'wurde außer Kraft gesetzt'. Mastering the passive voice with this phrase makes you sound very advanced.
No Article for Kraft
Never say 'außer die Kraft setzen'. The noun 'Kraft' in this idiom never takes an article.
The 'Schuldenbremse' Context
If you want to talk about German politics, this is the #1 phrase to know right now regarding the national budget.
Examples
6Die Geschäftsführung hat die Homeoffice-Pflicht außer Kraft gesetzt.
The management has repealed the work-from-home requirement.
A classic professional use for company policies.
Heute ist mein Geburtstag, also setze ich meine Diät außer Kraft!
Today is my birthday, so I'm suspending my diet!
A playful, metaphorical use of the phrase.
Das neue Gesetz setzt die alten Regelungen außer Kraft.
The new law repeals the old regulations.
Standard journalistic or legal usage.
In diesem Haus ist die Schwerkraft am Montagmorgen außer Kraft gesetzt.
In this house, gravity is suspended on Monday mornings.
Using the phrase to joke about how hard it is to get out of bed.
Meine Liebe zu ihm hat meinen gesunden Menschenverstand außer Kraft gesetzt.
My love for him has overridden my common sense.
A poetic way to say emotions took over logic.
Können wir die Putzplan-Regel für dieses Wochenende außer Kraft setzen?
Can we suspend the cleaning schedule rule for this weekend?
Negotiating household rules.
Test Yourself
Füllen Sie die Lücke mit der richtigen Form von 'außer Kraft setzen'.
Wegen des Notfalls hat die Regierung das Grundgesetz vorübergehend _______.
Since the government (an authority) is doing the action, we need the transitive 'gesetzt' form.
Welcher Satz ist grammatikalisch richtig?
Wählen Sie den richtigen Satz:
This is the correct formal usage where one rule replaces or invalidates another.
Vervollständigen Sie den Dialog.
Techniker: 'Wir müssen die Automatik _______.' Chef: 'Okay, machen Sie es manuell.'
In a technical context, overriding a system is best described with 'außer Kraft setzen'.
Welches Wort passt zu welcher Situation?
1. Ein Licht ausschalten. 2. Ein Gesetz ungültig machen.
Physical objects use 'ausschalten', abstract rules use 'außer Kraft setzen'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Setzen vs. Treten
Practice Bank
4 exercisesWegen des Notfalls hat die Regierung das Grundgesetz vorübergehend _______.
Since the government (an authority) is doing the action, we need the transitive 'gesetzt' form.
Wählen Sie den richtigen Satz:
This is the correct formal usage where one rule replaces or invalidates another.
Techniker: 'Wir müssen die Automatik _______.' Chef: 'Okay, machen Sie es manuell.'
In a technical context, overriding a system is best described with 'außer Kraft setzen'.
1. Ein Licht ausschalten. 2. Ein Gesetz ungültig machen.
Physical objects use 'ausschalten', abstract rules use 'außer Kraft setzen'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, it is very common to say that a new contract 'setzt {den|m} alten {den|m} Vertrag außer Kraft'.
Not exactly. 'Stoppen' is general. 'Außer Kraft setzen' specifically means that the *validity* or *authority* of a rule is removed.
Yes, in this specific phrase, 'Kraft' is always singular and never plural.
No, you cannot set a person 'außer Kraft'. You can, however, set their 'Einfluss' (influence) or 'Rechte' (rights) außer Kraft.
The opposite is 'in Kraft setzen' (to put into force/effect).
Rarely in casual talk, but very often in work meetings, news, and formal discussions.
Not necessarily. It often means it is suspended or overridden by something else, but the law might still exist on paper.
No, that would sound like you are treating your relationship like a government decree. Use 'Schluss machen' instead.
No, 'setzen' is the verb, and 'außer Kraft' is a prepositional phrase acting as a complement. They are written separately.
Yes, 'die Gesetze der Physik außer Kraft setzen' is a common way to describe something impossible or magical.
Related Phrases
in Kraft setzen
contrastTo put into effect.
außer Kraft treten
similarTo expire/become invalid.
aufheben
synonymTo repeal or cancel.
annullieren
synonymTo annul.
