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ausreisen

B1 verb #17,000 most common 13 min read

ausreisen

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips ausreisen in 30 Seconds

Explanation ausreisen in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'ausreisen' might be a bit advanced, but you can understand it as 'going out of a country.' Think of it as 'aus' (out) + 'reisen' (travel). In A1, you mostly learn 'gehen' (to go) or 'fahren' (to drive/go). However, you might see 'ausreisen' if you look at your passport or a travel brochure. It is a special word for when you cross a border. For example, if you are in Germany and you go back to your home country, you are 'ausreisen' from Germany. You don't need to use it in every sentence, but it is good to know that it's official. Remember that it's a separable verb, so 'aus' goes to the end: 'Ich reise aus.' Also, in the past, it uses 'ist': 'Ich bin ausgereist.' Keep it simple: 'ausreisen' = 'leave country.' It is more formal than 'Ich gehe nach Hause.' You will mostly hear it at airports or see it on signs. Don't worry about the complex grammar yet; just recognize that 'aus' means you are leaving the place you were in.

By A2, you are learning more about travel and moving around. 'Ausreisen' becomes important when you talk about your holidays or where you have lived. You should start to distinguish it from 'verreisen' (to go on a trip). When you 'ausreisen,' the focus is specifically on the moment you leave the country. You might say, 'Wir sind gestern aus Deutschland ausgereist.' Notice the 'aus' at the end! This is a classic German separable verb pattern. You also need to know the preposition 'aus' which goes with it: 'aus der Schweiz ausreisen.' Remember that 'aus' takes the dative case. So 'die Schweiz' becomes 'der Schweiz.' This level is about getting the basic structure right. You should be able to tell someone when you left a country using the perfect tense with 'sein.' It is also useful for basic stories about moving or traveling. You might not use it in daily life as much as 'weggehen,' but it's essential for any conversation about international borders or visas.

B1 is the level where 'ausreisen' is officially introduced and expected. At this stage, you should understand the nuance between 'ausreisen,' 'verlassen,' and 'auswandern.' 'Ausreisen' is the technical and legal act of leaving. You'll use it when discussing visa requirements, residency, or travel history. For example, 'Mein Visum läuft ab, ich muss ausreisen.' This level requires you to use the verb correctly in various tenses, including the past (Präteritum: 'reiste aus') and the perfect ('ist ausgereist'). You should also be familiar with the noun 'die Ausreise.' You might hear phrases like 'die freiwillige Ausreise' (voluntary departure) in news reports. B1 learners should also be able to handle subordinate clauses: 'Ich weiß nicht, wann ich ausreisen darf.' The word carries a certain level of formality. If you use 'ausreisen' instead of 'verlassen' when talking about a country, you sound more precise and professional. It's also a great word to use when talking about historical events, like the fall of the Berlin Wall, where 'Ausreise' was a key political topic.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using 'ausreisen' in more complex legal, political, and historical contexts. You are expected to understand the implications of the word in news articles about immigration policy or international law. For instance, you might discuss 'Ausreisebeschränkungen' (exit restrictions) or 'Ausreiseverpflichtungen' (obligations to leave). You should also be able to use the verb in the Konjunktiv II for hypothetical scenarios: 'Hätte er früher ausreisen können, wäre er jetzt in Sicherheit.' At this level, the distinction between 'ausreisen' (the act of crossing the border) and 'emigrieren' (the social act of moving) should be clear. You might also encounter the word in literary texts where it could symbolize freedom or exile. Your vocabulary should now include related terms like 'Ausreisesperre' (ban on leaving) or 'Ausreisevisum.' You are expected to use the word with perfect grammatical accuracy, including correct case usage for prepositions and proper placement of the separable prefix in complex sentence structures.

C1 learners should have a sophisticated grasp of 'ausreisen,' recognizing its historical weight and its place in administrative German (Amtssprache). You should be able to discuss the 'Ausreisewelle' (wave of departures) from the GDR in 1989 with historical accuracy, using the term to describe the political pressure on the East German regime. In a professional or academic setting, you might use 'ausreisen' when discussing global mobility, brain drain, or the legalities of international treaties (like the Schengen Agreement). You should be sensitive to the register; 'ausreisen' is formal and precise. You might also explore the metaphorical use of travel verbs, though 'ausreisen' remains largely literal and technical. At this level, you should also be able to distinguish between 'ausreisen' and more obscure terms like 'expatriieren.' Your ability to use 'ausreisen' in a variety of moods and tenses should be flawless, and you should be able to write formal letters or reports where this word is used to describe movements of people across borders in an objective, professional tone.

At the C2 level, you master 'ausreisen' in all its bureaucratic, historical, and legal nuances. You can analyze the word's use in high-level legal documents, such as the 'Aufenthaltsgesetz' (Residence Act), where terms like 'Ausreisepflicht' (obligation to leave) are defined with extreme precision. You understand the subtle differences in connotation between 'ausreisen' and related verbs in diplomatic language. You can participate in complex debates about migration policy, using 'ausreisen' to describe the procedural aspects of border management. Furthermore, you are aware of how the word has been used in German literature and philosophy to discuss themes of home (Heimat) and displacement. You can use the word with total flexibility, perhaps even in ironical or highly stylized ways in creative writing. Your understanding of the word is not just linguistic but also deeply cultural, connecting the act of 'ausreisen' to the broader German experience of borders, division, and reunification. You are essentially at the level where you can explain the word's history and legal standing to others.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

ausreisen in 30 Seconds

Ausreisen means to officially leave a country, usually crossing a border.
It is a separable verb: 'Ich reise aus.' (Prefix moves to the end).
It uses the auxiliary verb 'sein' in the perfect tense: 'Ich bin ausgereist.'
It is more formal than 'verlassen' and specific to national borders.

The German verb ausreisen is a fundamental term for anyone navigating the complexities of international travel, migration, or official documentation. At its core, it means 'to leave a country' or 'to depart across a national border.' Unlike the general word 'verlassen,' which can refer to leaving a room, a partner, or a city, ausreisen specifically carries a geopolitical connotation. It describes the formal act of exiting one sovereign territory to enter another or to enter international space. This distinction is crucial for B1 learners because using the wrong verb in a visa application or at a border checkpoint can lead to confusion. The prefix aus- indicates the direction 'out,' and reisen means 'to travel.' Together, they form a separable verb that is almost exclusively used in the context of crossing borders.

Geopolitical Context: This verb is used when discussing passports, visas, and border control. If you are at an airport in Frankfurt heading to New York, you are 'ausreisen' from Germany.
Formal Requirements: It often appears in legal documents regarding residency permits. One might have a deadline by which they must 'ausreisen' if their visa expires.

Nach dem Ende seines Studiums muss der Student innerhalb von zwei Wochen aus Deutschland ausreisen.

In historical German contexts, particularly during the division of East and West Germany, ausreisen carried immense political weight. The 'Ausreiseantrag' (application to leave the country) was a life-altering document for citizens of the GDR. Today, the word is more mundane, often heard in news reports about tourism statistics or immigration policies. It is an intransitive verb, meaning it does not take a direct object in the accusative case; instead, you leave 'aus' (out of) a place. Interestingly, while you 'ausreisen' from a country, you 'einreisen' (enter) into another. These two verbs are the 'yin and yang' of international movement. When practicing, remember that the auxiliary verb for the perfect tense is sein, because it involves a change of location.

Wann sind Sie das letzte Mal aus der EU ausgereist?

Furthermore, the word is frequently found in news headlines concerning 'freiwillige Ausreise' (voluntary departure), which is a specific term in migration law. It suggests a level of agency or compliance with border regulations. For a B1 learner, mastering this word means being able to describe your travel history accurately. It allows you to distinguish between 'verreisen' (to go on a trip/vacation) and the formal exit from a territory. In conversational German, you might hear someone say 'Ich reise morgen aus,' which sounds very official, whereas 'Ich fahre morgen weg' sounds like a casual weekend trip. Understanding this nuance helps you adjust your register according to the situation, whether you are talking to a friend or a customs officer.

Historical Significance: The 'Ausreise' movement in the late 1980s in the GDR was a pivotal factor in the fall of the Berlin Wall, making this word deeply embedded in German collective memory.

Viele Menschen wollten damals legal aus der DDR ausreisen.

Using ausreisen correctly requires an understanding of German sentence structure, specifically regarding separable verbs and the use of the auxiliary verb sein. Because ausreisen describes a movement from point A (inside the country) to point B (outside the country), it follows the rule that verbs of movement take sein in the perfect tense. For example, 'I have left the country' is 'Ich bin ausgereist,' not 'Ich habe ausgereist.' This is a common pitfall for English speakers who are used to 'have' for all past actions. Additionally, as a separable verb, the prefix aus- detaches in the present tense and moves to the very end of the clause.

Present Tense: Der Tourist reist heute aus Deutschland aus. (The prefix 'aus' goes to the end.)
Perfect Tense: Sie sind bereits gestern ausgereist. (The 'ge-' is placed between the prefix and the root.)

Ohne ein gültiges Visum darf man nicht einfach ausreisen.

When constructing more complex sentences, you will often use the preposition aus to specify the country being left. Note that aus always takes the dative case. 'Aus der Schweiz ausreisen' (Leaving Switzerland) or 'Aus den USA ausreisen' (Leaving the USA). If you are using a modal verb like müssen (must) or dürfen (may), the verb ausreisen stays together at the end of the sentence in its infinitive form. This is standard German syntax, but it's where many B1 learners trip up when trying to manage multiple verb components. Practice saying these structures aloud to build muscle memory for the 'aus' landing at the end of the sentence.

Er hat mir erzählt, dass er bald ausreisen möchte.

Another important aspect is the passive voice, though it is less common with this specific verb. However, you might see the noun form die Ausreise used in passive-like bureaucratic constructions. For example, 'Die Ausreise wurde verweigert' (The departure was denied). In your own writing, stick to the active voice to keep things clear. If you want to sound more sophisticated, use the past subjunctive (Konjunktiv II) to express hypothetical scenarios: 'Wenn ich könnte, würde ich sofort ausreisen.' This shows a high level of grammatical control and is exactly what examiners look for at the B1 and B2 levels. Remember to always pair the verb with the correct context—crossing a border, not just leaving a party.

Common Prepositions: aus [Dativ] (out of), nach [Dativ] (to - though usually used with 'reisen' separately), über [Akkusativ] (via/through a border crossing).

Wir sind über den Grenzübergang bei Basel ausgereist.

You will encounter ausreisen in several specific environments, ranging from the highly bureaucratic to the historical. The most common place today is at international airports and border crossings. Announcements or signs might not always use the verb, but the related noun Ausreise is everywhere. When you follow signs for 'Passkontrolle Ausreise,' you are in the process of 'ausreisen.' If you are watching the German news (Tagesschau), you will hear it in reports about international relations, migration statistics, or travel warnings. For instance, if a country becomes unsafe, the German Foreign Office might advise citizens to 'ausreisen' immediately. This gives the word a sense of urgency and official weight that 'weggehen' lacks.

At the Airport: 'Bitte halten Sie Ihre Dokumente für die Ausreise bereit.' (Please have your documents ready for departure.)
In the News: 'Im letzten Jahr sind mehr Menschen ausgereist als im Vorjahr.' (Last year, more people left the country than the year before.)

Wegen der Unruhen empfiehlt das Auswärtige Amt, aus dem Land auszureisen.

Another fascinating place you will hear this word is in history documentaries or museums, particularly those focusing on the Cold War. In the GDR (East Germany), 'ausreisen' was a dream for many and a bureaucratic nightmare. People would talk about their 'Ausreiseantrag' for years. This historical context makes the word feel very 'German' in its precision. In modern literature or films about immigration (like 'Transit'), the word is often used to highlight the legal barriers characters face. It underscores the idea that leaving a place isn't just about walking away; it's about the state's permission to do so. This nuance is vital for understanding the deeper layers of German conversation regarding identity and belonging.

Er durfte damals nicht legal ausreisen und musste fliehen.

In business contexts, 'ausreisen' might be used when discussing international assignments. A HR manager might say, 'Bevor Sie für das Projekt nach China ausreisen, brauchen Sie ein Visum.' Here, it maintains its formal tone. You won't typically hear it in a casual conversation about a holiday trip to Spain; in that case, people prefer 'nach Spanien fliegen' or 'verreisen.' By using 'ausreisen' only in the correct legal or official contexts, you signal that you understand the gravity of the action. It's about 'crossing the line' both literally and figuratively. Pay attention to how often it appears in newspapers like 'Die Zeit' or 'Der Spiegel' when they discuss global mobility; it's a staple of serious journalism.

Documentary Context: 'Die Massenausreise über Ungarn im Jahr 1989 veränderte alles.' (The mass exodus via Hungary in 1989 changed everything.)

Die Passagiere müssen vor der Ausreise durch den Zoll.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make with ausreisen is using the wrong auxiliary verb in the perfect tense. In English, we say 'I have left,' which leads learners to say 'Ich habe ausgereist.' However, because ausreisen indicates a change of position (moving from inside to outside a country), German grammar dictates the use of sein. Therefore, the correct form is 'Ich bin ausgereist.' This is a non-negotiable rule that immediately identifies a speaker's level. Another common mistake is confusing ausreisen with verreisen. While they look similar, verreisen means 'to go on a trip' or 'to be away on vacation,' whereas ausreisen is strictly about the act of leaving a country.

Wrong Auxiliary: Incorrect: Ich habe gestern ausgereist. / Correct: Ich bin gestern ausgereist.
Confusing with 'verlassen': 'Verlassen' takes an object: 'Ich verlasse das Land.' 'Ausreisen' is intransitive: 'Ich reise aus dem Land aus.'

Falsch: Er ist aus dem Zimmer ausgereist. (Correct: Er ist aus dem Zimmer gegangen.)

Another error involves the separable prefix. Learners often forget to move aus- to the end of the sentence. They might say 'Ich ausreise morgen,' which is grammatically incorrect. It must be 'Ich reise morgen aus.' Furthermore, learners sometimes use ausreisen for leaving a small space like a room or a building. This sounds very strange to native ears, almost as if you are treating your bedroom as a sovereign nation. Use ausreisen only for countries or large political territories. Additionally, be careful with prepositions. You 'reisen aus' a country (Dative), but you don't 'ausreisen zu' a person. The focus is entirely on the departure from the territory.

Richtig: Wir reisen am Sonntag aus der Schweiz aus.

Finally, watch out for the spelling of the past participle ausgereist. Some students confuse it with ausgeruht (rested) or ausgereicht (sufficed). While they sound vaguely similar, their meanings are worlds apart. Also, ensure you don't confuse ausreisen with ausreißen (to tear out or to run away). The double 'ss' in ausreißen changes the vowel sound and the meaning entirely—'ausreißen' is what a teenager might do when they run away from home, whereas 'ausreisen' is what a traveler does at the border. One is about rebellion or physical force, the other is about official travel. Keeping these distinctions clear will significantly improve your precision in German.

Spelling Trap: ausreisen (to leave a country) vs. ausreißen (to run away/tear out). The 's' vs 'ß' is key!

Der Junge ist von zu Hause ausgerissen (NOT ausgereist).

German has a rich vocabulary for movement, and choosing between ausreisen and its synonyms depends entirely on the context and the 'vibe' you want to convey. The most common alternative is verlassen. While ausreisen is a specialized travel term, verlassen is a general-purpose verb meaning 'to leave.' You can verlassen a room, a country, or a person. Crucially, verlassen is a transitive verb, so you say 'Ich verlasse Deutschland' (Accusative). With ausreisen, you say 'Ich reise aus Deutschland aus.' Use ausreisen when you want to sound more official or focus on the border-crossing aspect.

ausreisen vs. verlassen: 'Ausreisen' is for borders/official contexts. 'Verlassen' is for any place or person.
ausreisen vs. abfahren: 'Abfahren' means to depart by vehicle (train, bus). It doesn't necessarily mean leaving the country.

Anstatt auszureisen, entschied er sich, im Land zu bleiben.

Another word often confused with ausreisen is verreisen. This verb means 'to go on a trip' or 'to be away.' If you say 'Ich bin verreist,' it means you are currently on vacation or away from home. It doesn't imply you've crossed a national border; you could just be in the next city. In contrast, 'Ich bin ausgereist' implies you are no longer in the country. Then there is emigrieren (to emigrate). This is much more permanent than ausreisen. You emigrieren when you intend to live in another country forever. Ausreisen is just the physical/legal act of leaving, regardless of whether you plan to return or not.

Er ist nicht nur ausgereist, sondern für immer emigriert.

For more technical or bureaucratic contexts, you might encounter expatriieren (to expatriate) or abschieben (to deport). Abschieben is the forced version of ausreisen. If someone is 'ausgereist,' they usually did so under their own power (even if required by law), whereas 'abgeschoben' means the state forcibly removed them. Understanding these nuances is key for B1 students who want to follow political discussions in Germany. Lastly, auswandern is the most common word for 'moving abroad' in a personal sense. While you ausreisen at the border, you auswandern from your homeland to start a new life. Each word has its place, and 'ausreisen' is the one you need when the passport is in your hand.

Summary Table: 1. ausreisen: Official border exit. 2. verreisen: To go on vacation. 3. auswandern: To move abroad permanently. 4. verlassen: To leave (general).

Nach der Kontrolle durfte er endlich ausreisen.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In the Middle Ages, 'reisen' was often associated with military expeditions (Kriegszug). Only later did it become a general term for travel.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈaʊsˌʁaɪzn̩/

US /ˈaʊsˌraɪzn̩/

The primary stress is on the first syllable: AUS-reisen.

Rhymes With

speisen weisen preisen gleisen Eisen Greisen leisen Kreisen

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'aus' like 'oose'. It should be a diphthong like 'ow'.
Confusing the 'ei' sound with 'ie'. 'Reisen' (travel) vs 'Riesen' (giants).
Forgetting the 'n' at the end in the infinitive.
Pronouncing the 's' as a sharp 's' instead of a voiced 'z' sound between vowels.
Misplacing the stress on the second syllable.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize because of 'reisen'.

Writing 4/5

Difficult due to separable prefix and 'sein' auxiliary.

Speaking 3/5

Requires practice to put 'aus' at the end of the sentence.

Listening 3/5

The 'aus' can be far from the verb, making it tricky to catch.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

reisen aus das Land die Grenze gehen

Learn Next

einreisen das Visum der Aufenthaltstitel die Staatsbürgerschaft verlassen

Advanced

die Expatriierung die Remigration der Ausreiseantrag völkerrechtlich

Grammar to Know

Separable Verbs

Ich reise aus. (The prefix 'aus' moves to the end in main clauses).

Auxiliary 'sein' for movement

Ich bin ausgereist. (Verbs of movement from A to B take 'sein').

Dative after 'aus'

Aus der Schweiz (Schweiz is feminine, becomes 'der' in dative).

Infinitive with 'zu'

Es ist schwer, auszureisen. (The 'zu' goes between the prefix and the root).

Word Order in Subordinate Clauses

... weil er morgen ausreist. (Verb moves to the end and stays together).

Examples by Level

Ich reise morgen aus Deutschland aus.

I am leaving Germany tomorrow.

Separable verb: 'aus' at the end.

Wann reist du aus?

When are you leaving (the country)?

Question form with 'reisen' in second position.

Er ist gestern ausgereist.

He left (the country) yesterday.

Perfect tense with 'sein'.

Wir reisen aus der Schweiz aus.

We are leaving Switzerland.

'Aus' + Dative case ('der Schweiz').

Sie reisen heute aus.

They are leaving today.

Present tense plural.

Ich muss ausreisen.

I must leave the country.

Modal verb 'müssen' keeps 'ausreisen' together.

Reist du bald aus?

Are you leaving soon?

Yes/No question structure.

Er reist nicht aus.

He is not leaving.

Negation with 'nicht'.

Mein Freund ist aus Österreich ausgereist.

My friend left Austria.

Perfect tense with 'ist'.

Darf ich ohne Pass ausreisen?

May I leave without a passport?

Modal verb 'dürfen'.

Wir wollen morgen früh ausreisen.

We want to leave early tomorrow morning.

Infinitive at the end.

Ist sie schon ausgereist?

Has she already left?

Perfect tense question.

Er reiste vor einer Woche aus.

He left a week ago.

Präteritum (simple past).

Sie müssen aus dem Land ausreisen.

You must leave the country.

Formal 'Sie' command/statement.

Ich bin mit dem Zug ausgereist.

I left by train.

Instrumental 'mit dem Zug'.

Warum bist du so spät ausgereist?

Why did you leave so late?

W-question in perfect tense.

Das Visum ist abgelaufen, deshalb muss er ausreisen.

The visa expired, therefore he must leave.

Conjunction 'deshalb' with verb in second position.

Viele Touristen reisen im September aus.

Many tourists leave in September.

Subject-verb agreement.

Es ist wichtig, pünktlich auszureisen.

It is important to leave on time.

Infinitive with 'zu' becomes 'auszureisen'.

Haben Sie eine Erlaubnis, um auszureisen?

Do you have permission to leave?

Um...zu construction.

Er hat das Land verlassen, ohne offiziell auszureisen.

He left the country without officially departing.

Ohne...zu construction.

Wenn ich kein Visum bekomme, reise ich aus.

If I don't get a visa, I will leave.

Conditional sentence (Type 1).

Sie sind gestern über die Grenze ausgereist.

They left via the border yesterday.

Preposition 'über' + Akkusativ.

Die Behörden forderten ihn auf, sofort auszureisen.

The authorities requested him to leave immediately.

Indirect command with 'aufzufordern'.

Trotz der Krise durften die Diplomaten ausreisen.

Despite the crisis, the diplomats were allowed to leave.

Genitive preposition 'trotz'.

Die Zahl der Personen, die freiwillig ausreisen, steigt.

The number of people leaving voluntarily is increasing.

Relative clause.

Er wurde daran gehindert, aus dem Land auszureisen.

He was prevented from leaving the country.

Passive construction with 'gehindert'.

Wäre er früher ausgereist, hätte er den Flug nicht verpasst.

If he had left earlier, he wouldn't have missed the flight.

Konjunktiv II (Past hypothetical).

Die Ausreisebedingungen wurden kurzfristig geändert.

The exit conditions were changed at short notice.

Passive voice with noun 'Ausreise'.

Man kann nicht einfach ausreisen, ohne die Steuern zu zahlen.

One cannot simply leave without paying taxes.

General subject 'man'.

Nachdem sie ausgereist waren, fühlten sie sich sicher.

After they had left, they felt safe.

Plusquamperfekt with 'nachdem'.

Die Regierung verbot den Bürgern, das Land auszureisen.

The government forbade the citizens to leave the country.

Infinitive clause as object.

Die massenhafte Ausreise führte zu einem wirtschaftlichen Kollaps.

The mass exodus led to an economic collapse.

Nominalization with 'Ausreise'.

Es ist fraglich, ob er legal ausgereist ist.

It is questionable whether he left legally.

Indirect question with 'ob'.

Ungeachtet der Gefahren entschlossen sie sich auszureisen.

Regardless of the dangers, they decided to leave.

Preposition 'ungeachtet'.

Die bürokratischen Hürden beim Ausreisen sind enorm.

The bureaucratic hurdles when leaving are enormous.

Gerund-like use 'beim Ausreisen'.

Er reiste unter falschem Namen aus.

He left under a false name.

Prepositional phrase 'unter falschem Namen'.

Die Behörden verweigerten die Genehmigung auszureisen.

The authorities refused the permit to leave.

Complex noun-verb combination.

In den 80er Jahren war das Ausreisen aus der DDR ein politisches Statement.

In the 80s, leaving the GDR was a political statement.

Substantiviertes Verb (Nominalized verb).

Sobald die Grenze geöffnet wurde, reisten Tausende aus.

As soon as the border was opened, thousands left.

Temporal clause with 'sobald'.

Die völkerrechtlichen Bestimmungen zur Ausreise sind komplex.

The international law provisions regarding departure are complex.

Academic terminology.

Dass er so überstürzt ausreisen musste, wirft viele Fragen auf.

That he had to leave so hurriedly raises many questions.

Subject clause starting with 'Dass'.

Die Ausreiseverpflichtung besteht unabhängig vom persönlichen Schicksal.

The obligation to leave exists regardless of personal fate.

Administrative German (Amtssprache).

Er hat seine Ausreise akribisch vorbereitet.

He prepared his departure meticulously.

Adverb 'akribisch'.

Trotz bestehender Ausreisesperre gelang ihm die Flucht.

Despite an existing travel ban, he managed to escape.

Compound noun 'Ausreisesperre'.

Das Recht auf Ausreise ist ein Menschenrecht.

The right to leave is a human right.

Abstract legal concept.

Sein Versuch auszureisen scheiterte an einer Formalität.

His attempt to leave failed due to a formality.

Noun + infinitive clause.

Die Modalitäten der Ausreise wurden bilateral verhandelt.

The modalities of the departure were negotiated bilaterally.

Passive voice with technical terms.

Common Collocations

legal ausreisen

freiwillig ausreisen

unverzüglich ausreisen

über die Grenze ausreisen

aus der EU ausreisen

heimlich ausreisen

fristgerecht ausreisen

ohne Visum ausreisen

per Flugzeug ausreisen

ausreisen dürfen

Common Phrases

aus dem Land ausreisen

— To leave the country.

Er muss bald aus dem Land ausreisen.

zur Ausreise verpflichtet sein

— To be legally obligated to leave.

Er ist zur Ausreise verpflichtet.

die Erlaubnis zur Ausreise

— Permission to leave.

Sie warten auf die Erlaubnis zur Ausreise.

eine Ausreise planen

— To plan a departure from a country.

Wir planen unsere Ausreise für den nächsten Monat.

bei der Ausreise kontrolliert werden

— To be checked upon leaving.

Jeder wird bei der Ausreise kontrolliert.

die Ausreise verweigern

— To deny the right to leave.

Die Behörden verweigerten die Ausreise.

über Drittstaaten ausreisen

— To leave via third countries.

Sie reisten über Drittstaaten aus.

nach der Ausreise

— After leaving the country.

Nach der Ausreise fühlte er sich erleichtert.

vor der Ausreise

— Before leaving the country.

Vor der Ausreise muss man die Dokumente prüfen.

wegen der Ausreise

— Because of the departure.

Es gab Probleme wegen der Ausreise.

Often Confused With

ausreisen vs verreisen

Verreisen means to go on a trip; ausreisen means to leave a country officially.

ausreisen vs ausreißen

Ausreißen (with double s/ß) means to run away or tear out. Very different meaning!

ausreisen vs abreisen

Abreisen means to depart from a hotel or city to start a journey; ausreisen is specifically about borders.

Idioms & Expressions

"die Koffer packen und ausreisen"

— To pack up and leave for good.

Er hat die Koffer gepackt und ist ausgereist.

informal

"alle Brücken hinter sich abbrechen"

— To burn all bridges (often used when leaving a country).

Mit seiner Ausreise hat er alle Brücken hinter sich abgebrochen.

figurative

"das Weite suchen"

— To head for far-off places (escape).

Er suchte das Weite und reiste aus.

idiomatic

"dem Land den Rücken kehren"

— To turn one's back on the country.

Sie kehrte dem Land den Rücken und reiste aus.

figurative

"einen Schlussstrich ziehen"

— To draw a line under something (and leave).

Mit der Ausreise wollte er einen Schlussstrich ziehen.

figurative

"ins Ungewisse ausreisen"

— To leave for an uncertain future.

Viele reisten damals ins Ungewisse aus.

literary

"Hals über Kopf ausreisen"

— To leave in a head-over-heels hurry.

Sie mussten Hals über Kopf ausreisen.

informal

"auf Nimmerwiedersehen ausreisen"

— To leave and never come back.

Er ist auf Nimmerwiedersehen ausgereist.

informal

"seine Zelte abbrechen"

— To strike one's tents (leave a place).

Er brach seine Zelte ab und reiste aus.

figurative

"die Kurve kratzen"

— To make a run for it (slangy exit).

Er hat gerade noch die Kurve gekratzt und ist ausgereist.

slang

Easily Confused

ausreisen vs einreisen

Opposite direction.

Einreisen is entering; ausreisen is leaving. Both are for countries.

Er reist ein, während sie ausreist.

ausreisen vs durchreisen

Similar prefix structure.

Durchreisen means to travel through a country without staying.

Wir reisen nur durch Deutschland aus.

ausreisen vs auswandern

Both involve leaving a country.

Auswandern is a life change (moving); ausreisen is a physical/legal act (exiting).

Sie will auswandern, also muss sie heute ausreisen.

ausreisen vs verlassen

General meaning of leaving.

Verlassen takes an accusative object and is more general. Ausreisen is intransitive and official.

Ich verlasse das Haus, aber ich reise aus dem Land aus.

ausreisen vs abfahren

Both mean leaving.

Abfahren is for vehicles (bus/train). Ausreisen is for people crossing borders.

Der Zug fährt ab, und wir reisen aus.

Sentence Patterns

Ich reise aus [Land] aus.

Ich reise aus Deutschland aus.

Ich bin aus [Land] ausgereist.

Ich bin aus Italien ausgereist.

Ich muss ausreisen, weil [Grund].

Ich muss ausreisen, weil mein Visum abläuft.

Es ist [Adjektiv], auszureisen.

Es ist einfach, aus der EU auszureisen.

Nachdem ich ausgereist war, [Aktion].

Nachdem ich ausgereist war, rief ich meine Mutter an.

Trotz [Genitiv] reiste er aus.

Trotz des Verbots reiste er aus.

Die Genehmigung auszureisen wurde [Verb].

Die Genehmigung auszureisen wurde erteilt.

Sollte er ausreisen, [Konjunktiv II].

Sollte er ausreisen, müsste er seinen Pass abgeben.

Word Family

Nouns

die Ausreise

der Ausreisende

der Ausreiseantrag

die Ausreiseerlaubnis

das Ausreisevisum

Verbs

reisen

einreisen

verreisen

durchreisen

abreisen

Adjectives

ausreisenah

ausreisepflichtig

die Reise

das Reiseziel

der Reisepass

die Grenzkontrolle

das Visum

How to Use It

frequency

Common in travel, news, and official contexts. Rare in casual daily chores.

Common Mistakes

Ich habe ausgereist. → Ich bin ausgereist.
Verbs of movement from one place to another always take 'sein' in the perfect tense.
Ich ausreise heute. → Ich reise heute aus.
In a main clause, the prefix of a separable verb must move to the end.
Er ist aus dem Zimmer ausgereist. → Er ist aus dem Zimmer gegangen.
'Ausreisen' is only for countries or states, not rooms or buildings.
Ich reise aus Deutschland. → Ich reise aus Deutschland aus.
You need both the preposition 'aus' and the prefix 'aus' at the end for this verb.
Ich bin ausgerissen. → Ich bin ausgereist.
'Ausgerissen' means you ran away or tore something out. 'Ausgereist' means you left the country.

Tips

Check your Auxiliary

Always pair 'ausreisen' with 'sein'. Think: 'I am out-traveled' (Ich bin ausgereist) to remember the movement rule.

The 'Aus' Rule

If you are leaving a country, use 'ausreisen'. If you are entering, use 'einreisen'. They are a perfect pair for your flashcards.

Stress the Start

Put the emphasis on the 'AUS'. Saying 'ausREISEN' sounds unnatural. It should be 'AUSreisen'.

GDR History

Mentioning 'Ausreiseantrag' in a history discussion will impress German speakers; it shows deep cultural knowledge.

Separable Logic

In a main sentence, 'aus' is the 'caboose' at the very end. Don't let anything get past it!

Wait for it...

When listening, don't assume the verb is just 'reisen' until the sentence is finished. The 'aus' at the end changes everything.

Official Use

Use 'ausreisen' when talking to police or border agents. It sounds respectful and linguistically accurate.

One 'S' for Speed

Travelers move fast. One 's' for 'reisen'. If you see 'ss/ß', it's 'reißen' (to tear), which is slow and messy.

Don't over-use

Don't use it for leaving a supermarket. It's too grand for that! Use 'rausgehen' instead.

Past Participle

Remember the 'ge' goes in the middle: aus-ge-reist. This is standard for separable verbs.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'AUS' (Exit) + 'REISEN' (Travel). You are traveling to the EXIT of the country.

Visual Association

Imagine a big 'AUSGANG' (Exit) sign at a border crossing with a traveler holding a passport.

Word Web

Land Pass Visum Grenze Kontrolle Flughafen Zoll Ticket

Challenge

Try to write three sentences about a famous person who had to leave their country using 'ausreisen' in the perfect tense.

Word Origin

Derived from the Middle High German 'reisen', which originally meant 'to prepare for a campaign' or 'to set out'. The prefix 'aus-' is Germanic, meaning 'out'.

Original meaning: To set out on a journey out of a place.

Germanic

Cultural Context

Be sensitive when using this word regarding refugees or deportations, as it can be a very emotional topic in Germany.

English speakers often just say 'leave the country,' which is less formal than 'ausreisen'. We don't have a specific word that only means 'leaving a country' in common daily use as much as Germans do.

The film 'Das Leben der Anderen' (The Lives of Others) mentions Ausreiseanträge. The song 'Über sieben Brücken musst du gehn' often evokes themes of departure. The 'Montagsdemonstrationen' in 1989 featured chants about the right to ausreisen.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Airport Control

Wo reisen Sie aus?
Haben Sie ein Ausreisevisum?
Ich reise heute aus.
Stempel für die Ausreise.

Visa Office

Sie müssen bis morgen ausreisen.
Verlängerung oder Ausreise?
Freiwillige Ausreise.
Ausreisefrist einhalten.

History Class

Ausreise aus der DDR.
Einen Ausreiseantrag stellen.
Die Grenze war zu.
Massenhafte Ausreise.

News/Politics

Zahl der Ausreisen.
Verschärfte Ausreiseregeln.
Diplomaten müssen ausreisen.
Sicher ausreisen.

Travel Planning

Wann reisen wir aus?
Über welchen Flughafen reisen wir aus?
Dokumente für die Ausreise.
Vor der Ausreise.

Conversation Starters

"Bist du schon mal aus einem Land ausgereist und hast dich dabei traurig gefühlt?"

"Welche Dokumente braucht man normalerweise, um aus deinem Land auszureisen?"

"Musstest du schon mal über eine komplizierte Grenze ausreisen?"

"Was ist der Unterschied zwischen 'verlassen' und 'ausreisen' für dich?"

"Kennst du jemanden, der aus Deutschland ausgereist ist, um woanders zu leben?"

Journal Prompts

Beschreibe den Tag, an dem du das letzte Mal aus deinem Heimatland ausgereist bist. Wie war die Stimmung?

Stell dir vor, du müsstest morgen ausreisen. Was würdest du als Erstes einpacken?

Warum ist das Recht auf Ausreise deiner Meinung nach ein wichtiges Menschenrecht?

Reflektiere über die Geschichte der Ausreise in Deutschland (DDR). Was denkst du darüber?

Schreibe einen fiktiven Dialog zwischen einem Grenzbeamten und einer Person, die ausreisen möchte.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, 'ausreisen' is always a separable verb in German. In the present tense, the 'aus' moves to the end: 'Ich reise aus.' In the perfect tense, it becomes 'ausgereist'.

No, that would sound very strange. Use 'ausreisen' only for countries or large political territories. For a room, use 'hinausgehen' or 'verlassen'.

The past participle is 'ausgereist'. It is used with the auxiliary verb 'sein'. For example: 'Er ist bereits ausgereist.'

No, 'ausreisen' is an intransitive verb. You don't 'ausreisen' something. You 'reisen aus einem Land aus' (using a prepositional phrase).

It is a formal application to leave a country. This was a very famous term in East Germany (GDR) for citizens who wanted to move to the West.

It is always 'bin ausgereist'. Verbs that indicate a change of location or state use 'sein' as the auxiliary verb in German.

You can, but it sounds very official. If you are just going on a trip, 'verreisen' or 'in den Urlaub fahren' is more common.

Ausreisen is the act of crossing the border to leave. Auswandern is the decision to move your entire life to another country permanently.

You can say 'ausreisen müssen' (must leave) or use the word 'abgeschoben werden' (to be deported) for a more forceful context.

The preposition 'aus' always takes the dative case. For example: 'aus der (dative) Schweiz' or 'aus dem (dative) Iran'.