In 15 Seconds
- Walking a guest or client to the exit politely.
- A separable verb used to show hospitality and respect.
- Common in both professional offices and private homes.
Meaning
It's the act of walking someone to the door or the exit when they are leaving your home or office. It is a polite way to say goodbye while physically moving with them to the threshold.
Key Examples
3 of 6In a professional business meeting
Darf ich Sie zum Aufzug hinausbegleiten?
May I see you out to the elevator?
After a dinner party with a friend
Ich begleite dich noch kurz hinaus, es ist dunkel draußen.
I'll see you out for a moment, it's dark outside.
At the doctor's office
Die Assistentin begleitet den Patienten zum Ausgang hinaus.
The assistant sees the patient out to the exit.
Cultural Background
In German business culture, failing to walk a guest to the elevator is often seen as a sign that the meeting went poorly or that you don't value the person. Austrians may use 'hinausbegleiten' with even more formal language, often adding 'Es war mir eine Ehre' (It was an honor). In Switzerland, punctuality extends to the exit; 'hinausbegleiten' happens exactly when the scheduled meeting time ends. The 'walk to the door' is a universal sign of hospitality, but the German verb specifically highlights the 'accompanying' aspect.
The 'Elevator Rule'
In German business, if you want to be extra polite, don't just walk them to the office door; walk them to the elevator and wait until it arrives.
Don't say 'rausgehen'
If you say 'Ich gehe dich raus', it sounds like you are 'walking' them like a dog. Always use 'begleiten'.
In 15 Seconds
- Walking a guest or client to the exit politely.
- A separable verb used to show hospitality and respect.
- Common in both professional offices and private homes.
What It Means
Imagine you just finished a lovely dinner with friends. Instead of just waving from the sofa, you stand up. You walk them to the front door. That specific act of walking together to the exit is hinausbegleiten. It combines hinaus (outwards) and begleiten (to accompany). It is more than just leaving. It is a gesture of hospitality and respect. You are making sure they find the way out safely. You are also extending the conversation for a few more seconds.
How To Use It
This is a separable verb. This means the hinaus part often jumps to the end of the sentence. For example, you would say: Ich begleite Sie hinaus. If you are using a modal verb like kann or darf, it stays together at the end. It takes an accusative object. So, you are always accompanying 'someone' (mich, dich, ihn, sie, uns, euch, Sie). It feels very smooth and natural in German speech.
When To Use It
Use it whenever someone is leaving your 'territory.' This could be your apartment, your office, or even a restaurant. In a business meeting, it is standard etiquette. You walk the client to the elevator. At home, you walk your guest to the garden gate. It is perfect for those 'doorway conversations' that happen right before the final goodbye. It shows you are a gracious host. It makes the guest feel valued until the very last moment.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it if you are both leaving a place together. If you and a friend leave a bar, you are just gehen (going). Also, avoid it in very cramped spaces where walking to the door takes one step. It might sound a bit too dramatic there. If you are angry and want someone to leave, do not use this. This word implies a friendly or professional accompaniment. Forcing someone out is rauswerfen, which is much less polite!
Cultural Background
Germans take hospitality seriously. The 'doorway talk' is a real phenomenon. Sometimes the most important part of the visit happens while you hinausbegleiten someone. It is a transition phase. It bridges the gap between the private space and the public world. In formal offices, failing to hinausbegleiten a guest can seem cold. It is a small ritual that maintains social harmony. It dates back to times when houses were large and exits were hard to find.
Common Variations
In casual speech, you will often hear rausbegleiten. The hinaus becomes a shortened raus. It sounds much more relaxed. You might say to a friend: Ich begleite dich noch kurz raus. Another variation is zur Tür bringen (to bring to the door). This is very common and slightly less formal than hinausbegleiten. Both convey the same warm intention. Just remember that hinausbegleiten sounds a bit more elegant and polished.
Usage Notes
The verb is separable and takes the accusative case. It sits in the 'neutral-to-formal' register, making it safe for almost any social situation where you are the host.
The 'Elevator Rule'
In German business, if you want to be extra polite, don't just walk them to the office door; walk them to the elevator and wait until it arrives.
Don't say 'rausgehen'
If you say 'Ich gehe dich raus', it sounds like you are 'walking' them like a dog. Always use 'begleiten'.
Small Talk
The walk while 'hinausbegleiten' is the perfect time for 'Flurgespräche' (hallway talk)—light topics like the weather or the weekend.
Examples
6Darf ich Sie zum Aufzug hinausbegleiten?
May I see you out to the elevator?
A classic professional phrase used at the end of a meeting.
Ich begleite dich noch kurz hinaus, es ist dunkel draußen.
I'll see you out for a moment, it's dark outside.
Shows care and concern for the friend's safety.
Die Assistentin begleitet den Patienten zum Ausgang hinaus.
The assistant sees the patient out to the exit.
A neutral description of a standard procedure.
Warte, ich komme runter und begleite dich raus!
Wait, I'm coming down to see you out!
Uses the informal 'raus' instead of 'hinaus'.
Begleite mich bitte hinaus, bevor ich den ganzen Kuchen esse!
Please see me out before I eat the whole cake!
Uses the phrase to jokingly ask for help leaving a temptation.
Sie begleitete ihn schweigend bis zum Tor hinaus.
She accompanied him out to the gate in silence.
The phrase can carry emotional weight in a quiet moment.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'hinausbegleiten' in the present tense.
Der Chef _______ den wichtigen Kunden _______.
In the present tense, the prefix 'hinaus' moves to the end, and 'begleiten' is conjugated for 'der Chef' (3rd person singular).
Which sentence is the most polite in a professional setting?
A: Geh jetzt raus. B: Darf ich Sie hinausbegleiten? C: Ich bringe dich zur Tür. D: Tschüss, finden Sie den Weg?
Option B uses the formal 'Sie' and the polite modal verb 'darf', making it the standard professional choice.
Complete the dialogue.
Gast: 'Es ist schon spät, ich muss jetzt gehen.' Gastgeber: 'Oh, schade! Warte, ich _______.'
The host offers to walk the guest to the door using the standard phrase.
Match the verb to the situation.
1. Someone is annoying you and must leave immediately. 2. A client finished a meeting. 3. You are walking home with a friend.
'Rauswerfen' is for angry exits, 'hinausbegleiten' is for polite exits, and 'nach Hause begleiten' is for the whole journey.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDer Chef _______ den wichtigen Kunden _______.
In the present tense, the prefix 'hinaus' moves to the end, and 'begleiten' is conjugated for 'der Chef' (3rd person singular).
A: Geh jetzt raus. B: Darf ich Sie hinausbegleiten? C: Ich bringe dich zur Tür. D: Tschüss, finden Sie den Weg?
Option B uses the formal 'Sie' and the polite modal verb 'darf', making it the standard professional choice.
Gast: 'Es ist schon spät, ich muss jetzt gehen.' Gastgeber: 'Oh, schade! Warte, ich _______.'
The host offers to walk the guest to the door using the standard phrase.
1. Someone is annoying you and must leave immediately. 2. A client finished a meeting. 3. You are walking home with a friend.
'Rauswerfen' is for angry exits, 'hinausbegleiten' is for polite exits, and 'nach Hause begleiten' is for the whole journey.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, primarily. You wouldn't 'hinausbegleiten' a cat; you would just let it out.
No, it sounds sarcastic if used while angry. Use 'Raus!' or 'Verlassen Sie das Haus!'
'Hinaus' is away from the speaker (out there), 'heraus' is towards the speaker (out here). Since you are walking *with* them away from the center of the room, 'hinaus' is used.
It's better to use 'hinausbegleiten' or 'verabschieden' in formal writing.
Not usually. To the front door or the building exit is sufficient.
Yes, it is standard German (Hochdeutsch) used everywhere.
Ich begleitete ihn hinaus (Präteritum) or Ich habe ihn hinausbegleitet (Perfekt).
It is a weak verb (regelmäßiges Verb).
Yes: 'Ich begleite euch hinaus.'
You can say: 'Ich begleite Sie noch hinaus, damit Sie sich nicht verlaufen' (as a joke) or simply 'Ich begleite Sie noch zur Tür.'
Related Phrases
begleiten
builds onto accompany
rauswerfen
contrastto throw out
verabschieden
similarto say goodbye
geleiten
specialized formto escort
jemanden zur Tür bringen
synonymto bring someone to the door
