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die Ausreise

B1 noun #8,500 most common 9 min read

die Ausreise

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips die Ausreise in 30 Seconds

Explanation die Ausreise in your Level:

At the A1 level, you usually don't need the word 'Ausreise' yet. You mostly use 'ich fahre' (I go/drive) or 'ich fliege' (I fly). However, you might see it on signs at the airport. It simply means 'leaving the country'. If you see a sign that says 'Ausreise', it is where you show your passport to leave Germany. It is the opposite of 'Einreise' (entering). You can remember it as 'Out-Travel'. Even though it's a B1 word, knowing it helps you navigate German airports without getting lost.

At the A2 level, you start to talk more about travel and holidays. You might use 'Ausreise' when talking about your flight. For example: 'Die Ausreise war sehr schnell.' (Leaving was very fast.) You should know that it is a feminine noun ('die'). You will often hear it with 'bei' (at/during). 'Bei der Ausreise' means 'when leaving'. It is more formal than saying 'wenn ich wegfahre'. It specifically means crossing a border to go to another country.

At the B1 level, you should be able to use 'die Ausreise' in formal contexts, such as at an office or when talking about immigration rules. You understand that it's different from 'Abreise' (leaving a hotel/city) and 'Abfahrt' (departure of a bus). You can form compound words like 'Ausreisevisum' (exit visa). You also start to understand the historical context of the word in Germany, specifically regarding the Berlin Wall and the 'Ausreiseantrag'. You should be comfortable using it in the dative case: 'Nach der Ausreise fühlte er sich sicher.'

At the B2 level, you use 'die Ausreise' with more precision and in varied contexts. You might discuss political issues like 'die Ausreise verweigern' (to deny exit) or 'die illegale Ausreise' (illegal exit). You are aware of the legal nuances—for instance, the difference between a voluntary 'Ausreise' and a 'Abschiebung' (deportation). You can use it in more complex sentences: 'Trotz der strengen Kontrollen verlief die Ausreise reibungslos.' Your vocabulary includes related terms like 'Ausreiseverbot' (travel ban/exit ban) and 'Ausreisebescheinigung' (exit certificate).

At the C1 level, you recognize the stylistic weight of 'die Ausreise'. You use it in academic or legal discussions about migration and international law. You understand the subtle difference between 'Ausreise' and 'Emigration' (the former being the act, the latter the socio-political process). You can interpret literature or historical texts that use 'Ausreise' to symbolize freedom or loss. You are also familiar with administrative jargon, such as 'ausreisepflichtig' (obligated to leave the country) and how it functions in German immigration law.

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'die Ausreise'. You can use it metaphorically or in highly specialized legal contexts. You understand the historical nuances of 'Ausreise' in the GDR and how it shaped German identity. You can discuss the philosophical implications of 'the exit' as a concept. You use the word effortlessly in complex structures, such as 'Die Modalitäten der Ausreise unterliegen dem bilateralen Abkommen.' Your understanding includes the historical, legal, and social dimensions of the word across different eras of German history.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

die Ausreise in 30 Seconds

Die Ausreise means exiting a country, specifically in a formal or legal sense involving borders.
It is a feminine noun (die Ausreise) and is the opposite of 'die Einreise' (entry).
Commonly heard at airports, border crossings, and in historical contexts regarding the Berlin Wall.
Used with prepositions like 'bei' and 'vor', requiring the dative case (der Ausreise).

The German noun die Ausreise refers specifically to the act of leaving a country, typically across an international border. Unlike the more general term Abfahrt (departure of a vehicle) or Abreise (general departure for a trip), Ausreise carries a distinct administrative and legal weight. It is the formal process of exiting a territory, often involving passport control, customs, and the fulfillment of legal requirements. When you are at an airport in Germany, the signs for 'Departures' usually say Abflug, but the legal process you undergo at the border control booth is your Ausreise.

Administrative Context: In official documents, visas, and legal statutes, Ausreise is the standard term. If a person is asked to leave the country by the authorities, they might receive an Ausreiseaufforderung (request to leave). It focuses on the transition from being inside a national jurisdiction to being outside of it.
Directionality: The prefix aus- (out) combined with Reise (journey) creates a clear directional focus. It is the mirror image of die Einreise (entry into a country). You cannot have an Ausreise without having previously made an Einreise, at least in the eyes of border officials.

Die Beamten kontrollierten seinen Reisepass bei der Ausreise am Frankfurter Flughafen.

Translation: The officers checked his passport during the exit at Frankfurt Airport.

Historically, die Ausreise has a profound emotional and political resonance in Germany, particularly concerning the former German Democratic Republic (GDR/DDR). For decades, the Ausreiseantrag (application to leave the country) was a source of immense tension, hope, and often persecution. To 'leave' meant to cross the Iron Curtain, a process that was strictly regulated and frequently denied. Therefore, in a historical context, the word often implies a permanent or long-term departure from one's homeland under difficult circumstances.

In modern travel, you will encounter this word most frequently in the context of 'Ausreisekontrolle' (exit control). Even within the Schengen Area, where physical borders are often invisible, the term remains relevant for non-EU citizens who must ensure their exit is properly recorded to avoid overstaying their visas. The word is functional, precise, and carries the weight of international law. Whether you are a tourist heading home or an expat relocating, your Ausreise is the final official step of your stay in Germany.

Ohne ein gültiges Visum ist die Ausreise aus manchen Ländern problematisch.

Using die Ausreise correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical gender (feminine) and the prepositions that usually accompany it. Most commonly, you will see it paired with bei (during/at the time of) or vor (before). Because it is a feminine noun, it becomes der Ausreise in the dative case, which is required after bei and vor in this context.

Common Prepositional Phrases: Bei der Ausreise: This is the most frequent construction. It refers to the moment or the process of leaving. Example: 'Bei der Ausreise müssen Sie Ihren negativen Test vorzeigen.' (Upon exit, you must show your negative test.); Vor der Ausreise: This refers to the period leading up to the departure. Example: 'Vor der Ausreise sollten alle Rechnungen bezahlt sein.' (Before leaving the country, all bills should be paid.)

Die Regierung hat eine sofortige Ausreise aller ausländischen Diplomaten angeordnet.

The word is often used as the subject of a sentence to describe the legality or the possibility of leaving. For instance, 'Die Ausreise ist nur mit einem gültigen Pass möglich.' (Exiting the country is only possible with a valid passport.) It can also be the object of verbs like verweigern (to deny), genehmigen (to approve), or planen (to plan). If a border guard denies you the right to leave, they verweigern die Ausreise.

In complex sentences, Ausreise often acts as the first part of a compound noun. This is a very 'German' way of being precise. Words like Ausreisevisum (exit visa), Ausreisebestimmungen (exit regulations), and Ausreisefrist (deadline to leave) are essential vocabulary for anyone dealing with immigration or international travel. When constructing these, remember that the gender of the compound word is determined by the last element (e.g., das Visum -> das Ausreisevisum).

Haben Sie alle notwendigen Dokumente für Ihre Ausreise vorbereitet?

You will encounter die Ausreise in several distinct environments, ranging from the mundane to the highly political. Understanding these contexts helps in grasping the 'vibe' of the word.

1. At Airports and Borders: This is the most common physical location. Announcements might not use the word 'Ausreise' directly (they prefer 'Boarding' or 'Abflug'), but the signage at the police booths will often mention 'Ausreisekontrolle'. If you are traveling outside the Schengen area, you are legally performing an Ausreise.
2. In the News and Media: Journalists use the word when reporting on international crises, migration, or diplomatic expulsions. You might hear: 'Die Ausreise der Flüchtlinge aus dem Grenzgebiet gestaltet sich schwierig.' (The exit of refugees from the border area is proving difficult.) It is the standard term for describing people leaving a country en masse.

In den Nachrichten wurde über die erschwerte Ausreise aus dem Kriegsgebiet berichtet.

Another frequent context is the 'Ausländerbehörde' (Immigration Office). If a person's residency permit expires and is not renewed, they are legally obligated to leave. The process is referred to as die Ausreise. In these bureaucratic settings, the word is neutral but firm. It is not about a vacation; it is about the status of one's legal presence in a country.

Finally, you might hear it in a corporate context if a company is relocating employees internationally. The 'Global Mobility' department will talk about 'Ausreise-Management'—the logistics of moving an employee out of one country and into another. Here, it covers everything from shipping furniture to cancelling local health insurance.

Die Firma übernimmt alle Kosten, die mit der Ausreise verbunden sind.

English speakers often struggle with die Ausreise because 'exit' or 'departure' can be translated in several ways in German. Choosing the wrong one can lead to confusion or sounding unnatural.

Mistake 1: Using 'Ausgang' for 'Ausreise': If you say 'Meine Ausgang aus Deutschland war gestern,' Germans will understand you, but it sounds like you literally walked out of a door labeled 'Germany'. Use Ausreise for the event of leaving the country.
Mistake 2: Confusing 'Ausreise' with 'Abreise': Abreise is general. You can have an Abreise from a hotel or a city. Ausreise is specific to borders. If you are leaving a hotel in Berlin to go to Munich, it is an Abreise. If you are leaving Berlin to go to New York, it is both an Abreise and an Ausreise.

Falsch: Der Ausgang aus dem Land war schwierig.
Richtig: Die Ausreise aus dem Land war schwierig.

Another common error is the incorrect use of cases with the preposition bei. Since bei always takes the dative, and Ausreise is feminine, it must be bei der Ausreise. Beginners often say bei die Ausreise, which is grammatically incorrect. Furthermore, pay attention to the plural. While die Ausreisen exists, it is rarely used because the act of leaving a country is usually discussed as a singular event for an individual or a collective group.

Lastly, do not confuse Ausreise with Auswanderung (emigration). Ausreise is the physical/legal act of leaving, which could be for a two-week vacation. Auswanderung is the social and personal act of moving to another country permanently. You perform an Ausreise to complete your Auswanderung, but they are not the same thing.

Er plante seine Ausreise (physical act) sorgfältig, da er seine Auswanderung (life change) nach Kanada vorbereitete.

To truly master die Ausreise, you should know how it compares to its synonyms and related terms. German is very precise about the *way* you leave.

Ausreise vs. Abfahrt: Abfahrt is used for vehicles (trains, buses, cars). 'Die Abfahrt des Zuges' is the train's departure. Ausreise is the person's exit from the country. You might experience your Ausreise at the moment of the train's Abfahrt if the train is crossing a border.
Ausreise vs. Abflug: Abflug is specifically for planes. When you look at the board at the airport, you see Abflüge. However, the legal process you go through at the gate for an international flight is the Ausreise.
Ausreise vs. Verlassen: Verlassen is a verb meaning 'to leave'. You can say 'das Land verlassen'. Ausreise is the noun form used in bureaucratic and formal contexts. 'Das Verlassen des Landes' is also possible, but Ausreise is more common in officialese.

Während der Abflug pünktlich war, gab es Probleme bei der Ausreise am Gate.

In a more historical or sociological context, you might encounter die Emigration or der Fortzug. Emigration is the international term for leaving one's country to live elsewhere. Fortzug is a general term for moving away, often used in statistics (e.g., 'Fortzüge aus Berlin'). Ausreise remains the most 'official' term for the border-crossing event itself.

Lastly, consider der Auszug. This is used when you leave an apartment or a house (moving out). It has nothing to do with countries or borders. If you say 'Meine Auszug aus Deutschland,' it sounds like you are moving out of a giant apartment called Germany. Always stick to Ausreise for international contexts!

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In the 18th century, 'Reise' didn't just mean a vacation; it often implied a dangerous undertaking. 'Ausreise' specifically gained its modern bureaucratic meaning with the rise of nation-states and border controls in the 19th century.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈaʊ̯sˌʁaɪ̯zə/

US /ˈaʊ̯sˌraɪ̯zə/

Primary stress on the first syllable: 'AUS-reise'.

Rhymes With

Waisenreise Speise leise weise Gleise Kreise Meise Beweise

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 's' as a 'z' sound (it should be sharp 's' because of the prefix boundary).
Making the final 'e' silent (it must be a short schwa sound).
Confusing the 'ei' sound with 'ie' (Ausriese is wrong).
Stress on the second syllable (aus-REISE is wrong).
Swallowing the 'r' too much.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize in context at airports or in news.

Writing 4/5

Requires knowledge of the 'bei der' dative construction.

Speaking 4/5

Must distinguish from 'Abreise' and 'Abfahrt'.

Listening 3/5

Clear pronunciation, but can be confused with similar words.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

reisen die Reise aus die Einreise der Pass

Learn Next

das Visum der Zoll die Staatsbürgerschaft abschieben einwandern

Advanced

das Ausreisesperre die Remigration der Grenzübertritt die Personenfreizügigkeit

Grammar to Know

Dative after 'bei'

Bei der (dative feminine) Ausreise.

Compound Noun Gender

Das Ausreisevisum (Visum is neutral, so the whole word is neutral).

Prefix 'aus-'

Indicates movement from inside to outside (ausgehen, ausfahren, ausreisen).

Substantivierung

Turning the verb 'ausreisen' into the noun 'die Ausreise'.

Genitive Case with 'wegen'

Wegen der Ausreise (standard) or Wegen der Ausreisen (plural).

Examples by Level

Die Ausreise ist hier.

The exit (from the country) is here.

Simple subject-verb-complement structure.

Wo ist die Ausreise?

Where is the exit?

Question with 'wo'.

Ich brauche meinen Pass für die Ausreise.

I need my passport for the exit.

Accusative case after 'für'.

Die Ausreise war einfach.

The exit was easy.

Past tense 'war' (was).

Keine Ausreise ohne Ticket.

No exit without a ticket.

Preposition 'ohne' takes the accusative.

Ist das die Ausreise?

Is that the exit?

Simple yes/no question.

Die Ausreise nach Frankreich ist frei.

The exit to France is free (open).

Preposition 'nach' indicates direction.

Warten bei der Ausreise.

Waiting at the exit.

Dative case after 'bei'.

Wir müssen bei der Ausreise den Koffer öffnen.

We have to open the suitcase during the exit.

Modal verb 'müssen' with infinitive at the end.

Die Ausreise dauerte zwei Stunden.

The exit took two hours.

Verb 'dauern' in Präteritum.

Haben Sie Fragen zur Ausreise?

Do you have questions about the exit?

'zur' is a contraction of 'zu der' (dative).

Vor der Ausreise muss ich noch Geld wechseln.

Before the exit, I still need to change money.

Temporal preposition 'vor' with dative.

Die Ausreise aus Deutschland war kein Problem.

The exit from Germany was no problem.

Preposition 'aus' with dative.

Er vergaß seinen Pass bei der Ausreise.

He forgot his passport during the exit.

Verb 'vergessen' in Präteritum.

Die Polizei kontrolliert die Ausreise.

The police are checking the exit.

Direct object in the accusative.

Gute Ausreise und gute Reise!

Have a good exit and a good trip!

Adjective 'gut' in the accusative feminine.

Ein gültiges Visum ist für die Ausreise zwingend erforderlich.

A valid visa is mandatory for the exit.

Adverbial phrase 'zwingend erforderlich'.

Wegen des Streiks verzögert sich die Ausreise.

Because of the strike, the exit is delayed.

Genitive case after 'wegen'.

Er stellte einen Antrag auf Ausreise.

He submitted an application for exit.

Phrase 'einen Antrag stellen auf' + accusative.

Bei der Ausreise gab es unerwartete Komplikationen.

There were unexpected complications during the exit.

Plural noun 'Komplikationen'.

Die Ausreisefrist läuft morgen ab.

The deadline to leave expires tomorrow.

Compound word 'Ausreise' + 'Frist'.

Man darf das Land vor der offiziellen Ausreise nicht verlassen.

One must not leave the country before the official exit.

Passive-like 'man' construction.

Die Ausreise wurde ihm ohne Angabe von Gründen verweigert.

His exit was denied without any reasons being given.

Passive voice with 'wurde ... verweigert'.

Sie bereitet ihre Ausreise nach Australien vor.

She is preparing her exit to Australia.

Separable verb 'vorbereiten'.

Die Ausreisebestimmungen haben sich seit dem letzten Jahr verschärft.

The exit regulations have tightened since last year.

Reflexive verb 'sich verschärfen'.

Es ist ratsam, sich frühzeitig über die Ausreiseformalitäten zu informieren.

It is advisable to find out about exit formalities in good time.

Infinitive clause with 'zu'.

Trotz der politischen Unruhen blieb die Ausreise für Touristen möglich.

Despite the political unrest, exit remained possible for tourists.

Genitive case after 'trotz'.

Die Behörden überwachen die Ausreise von verdächtigen Personen.

The authorities monitor the exit of suspicious persons.

Genitive plural 'verdächtiger Personen'.

Nach der Ausreise aus der DDR begannen sie ein neues Leben im Westen.

After leaving the GDR, they began a new life in the West.

Historical context usage.

Eine Ausreise ohne polizeiliche Abmeldung kann später Probleme bereiten.

Leaving the country without registering with the police can cause problems later.

Preposition 'ohne' with accusative.

Das Ausreisevisum wurde erst im letzten Moment erteilt.

The exit visa was only granted at the last moment.

Passive voice in Präteritum.

Die Ausreise aus dem Krisengebiet wurde durch das Rote Kreuz koordiniert.

The exit from the crisis zone was coordinated by the Red Cross.

Agent introduced by 'durch'.

Die rechtlichen Hürden für eine Ausreise sind in diesem Land extrem hoch.

The legal hurdles for an exit are extremely high in this country.

Metaphorical use of 'Hürden'.

Die Ausreise von Fachkräften führt zu einem massiven Brain-Drain.

The exit of skilled workers leads to a massive brain drain.

Sociological/Economic context.

Oftmals ist die Ausreise die einzige Möglichkeit, politischer Verfolgung zu entkommen.

Often, exiting the country is the only way to escape political persecution.

Infinitive clause as an apposition.

Die Regierung hat ein generelles Ausreiseverbot für alle Staatsbediensteten verhängt.

The government has imposed a general exit ban for all state employees.

Verb 'verhängen' (to impose).

Die Ausreisezahlen sind im Vergleich zum Vorjahr signifikant gestiegen.

The exit numbers have risen significantly compared to the previous year.

Compound word 'Ausreisezahlen'.

Bei der Ausreise sind sämtliche Devisen beim Zoll anzumelden.

Upon exit, all foreign currency must be declared at customs.

Administrative phrasing 'sind ... anzumelden'.

Seine Ausreise wurde durch diplomatische Interventionen ermöglicht.

His exit was made possible through diplomatic interventions.

Complex passive construction.

Die Ausreise markierte das Ende eines schmerzhaften Kapitels in ihrer Geschichte.

The exit marked the end of a painful chapter in their history.

Literary/Metaphorical usage.

Die restriktive Handhabung der Ausreise durch das Regime stieß auf internationale Kritik.

The regime's restrictive handling of exits met with international criticism.

High-level vocabulary: 'restriktiv', 'Handhabung', 'stieß auf'.

Es bedarf einer fundierten Analyse der Beweggründe für die massenhafte Ausreise.

A sound analysis of the motives for the mass exit is required.

Formal construction 'Es bedarf' + genitive.

Die Ausreisevoraussetzungen variieren je nach bilateralem Abkommen erheblich.

The exit requirements vary considerably depending on the bilateral agreement.

Precision in administrative language.

In der Retrospektive erwies sich die Ausreise als ein Akt existenzieller Notwendigkeit.

In retrospect, the exit proved to be an act of existential necessity.

Philosophical/Reflective tone.

Die bürokratischen Modalitäten der Ausreise können Monate in Anspruch nehmen.

The bureaucratic modalities of exiting can take months.

Idiom 'in Anspruch nehmen'.

Jeder Versuch einer unbefugten Ausreise wird strafrechtlich verfolgt.

Every attempt at an unauthorized exit will be prosecuted.

Legal terminology 'strafrechtlich verfolgt'.

Die Ausreise aus der Staatsbürgerschaft ist ein komplexer juristischer Vorgang.

Renouncing citizenship (exiting citizenship) is a complex legal process.

Abstract use of 'Ausreise'.

Die Ausreise aus der gewohnten Umgebung ist oft mit kulturellem Schock verbunden.

Exiting one's familiar environment is often associated with culture shock.

Sociopsychological context.

Common Collocations

die Ausreise verweigern

die Ausreise genehmigen

zur Ausreise auffordern

die Ausreise vorbereiten

bei der Ausreise

unbefugte Ausreise

freiwillige Ausreise

kurz vor der Ausreise

die Ausreise planen

die Ausreise ermöglichen

Common Phrases

Ausreise aus dem Bundesgebiet

— Official term for leaving the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Die Ausreise aus dem Bundesgebiet muss gemeldet werden.

Antrag auf Ausreise

— A formal application to be allowed to leave a country.

Er stellte einen Antrag auf Ausreise aus der DDR.

Ausreise ohne Rückkehr

— Leaving a country with no intention of coming back.

Es war eine Ausreise ohne Rückkehr für die Familie.

Modalitäten der Ausreise

— The specific details and procedures required to leave.

Die Modalitäten der Ausreise sind noch unklar.

Ausreise auf dem Luftweg

— Leaving the country by plane.

Die Ausreise auf dem Luftweg ist am bequemsten.

Ausreise auf dem Landweg

— Leaving the country by car, train, or foot.

Der Zoll kontrolliert die Ausreise auf dem Landweg.

Probleme bei der Ausreise

— Difficulties encountered while trying to leave a country.

Hatten Sie Probleme bei der Ausreise am Flughafen?

Ausreise unter Auflagen

— Being allowed to leave only if certain conditions are met.

Die Ausreise wurde nur unter Auflagen gestattet.

Sofortige Ausreise

— Leaving the country immediately.

Die Diplomaten wurden zur sofortigen Ausreise gezwungen.

Ausreise aus privaten Gründen

— Leaving the country for personal reasons rather than business or political ones.

Seine Ausreise erfolgte aus rein privaten Gründen.

Often Confused With

die Ausreise vs die Abreise

Abreise is general departure (from a place); Ausreise is specifically leaving a country.

die Ausreise vs der Ausgang

Ausgang is a physical exit (door); Ausreise is the act of leaving a country.

die Ausreise vs die Ausfahrt

Ausfahrt is a highway exit or a departure by car; Ausreise is the legal exit from a country.

Idioms & Expressions

"Die Ausreise antreten"

— To begin the journey of leaving the country.

Morgen wird er endlich die Ausreise antreten.

formal

"Hinter der Ausreise"

— Metaphorically, what happens after one has left (rare).

Was erwartet uns hinter der Ausreise?

literary

"Zur Ausreise gezwungen sein"

— To have no choice but to leave the country.

Wegen des Krieges waren sie zur Ausreise gezwungen.

neutral

"Die Ausreise steht bevor"

— The departure from the country is imminent.

Ihre Ausreise steht unmittelbar bevor.

formal

"Ein Ticket für die Ausreise haben"

— To have the means or permission to leave.

Endlich hatte er das Ticket für die Ausreise in der Hand.

neutral

"Die Brücken nach der Ausreise abbrechen"

— To cut all ties with the home country after leaving.

Sie brach alle Brücken nach ihrer Ausreise ab.

figurative

"Auf die Ausreise warten"

— To be in a state of limbo awaiting permission to leave.

Tausende Menschen warten an der Grenze auf die Ausreise.

neutral

"Die Ausreise verheimlichen"

— To keep one's departure from the country a secret.

Er musste seine Ausreise vor den Nachbarn verheimlichen.

neutral

"Den Weg zur Ausreise ebnen"

— To make it easier for someone to leave.

Der neue Vertrag ebnete den Weg zur Ausreise.

formal

"In die Ausreise einwilligen"

— To agree to leave the country (often under pressure).

Er willigte schließlich in die Ausreise ein.

formal

Easily Confused

die Ausreise vs die Abfahrt

Both mean 'departure'.

Abfahrt is for vehicles (trains/buses). Ausreise is for people crossing borders.

Die Abfahrt des Zuges verzögert meine Ausreise.

die Ausreise vs der Abflug

Both happen at the airport.

Abflug is the plane taking off. Ausreise is the person clearing border control.

Nach der Ausreise warteten wir auf den Abflug.

die Ausreise vs die Auswanderung

Both involve leaving a country.

Auswanderung is the permanent move. Ausreise is the single act of crossing the border.

Seine Auswanderung begann mit einer traurigen Ausreise.

die Ausreise vs der Auszug

Both start with 'Aus-'.

Auszug is moving out of an apartment. Ausreise is leaving a nation.

Erst der Auszug aus der Wohnung, dann die Ausreise aus dem Land.

die Ausreise vs die Einreise

They are opposites and look similar.

Einreise is coming in. Ausreise is going out.

Die Einreise war schwerer als die Ausreise.

Sentence Patterns

Ich habe Probleme bei der Ausreise.

Ich habe Probleme bei der Ausreise aus den USA.

Vor der Ausreise muss man [X] machen.

Vor der Ausreise muss man das Formular ausfüllen.

Die Ausreise wurde [Person] verweigert.

Die Ausreise wurde dem Journalisten verweigert.

Trotz [Genitive], war die Ausreise möglich.

Trotz des Sturms war die Ausreise möglich.

Es gibt strenge [Nomen] für die Ausreise.

Es gibt strenge Bestimmungen für die Ausreise.

Die Ausreise erfolgt unter der Bedingung, dass...

Die Ausreise erfolgt unter der Bedingung, dass er nicht zurückkehrt.

In Anbetracht der [Genitive] ist die Ausreise ratsam.

In Anbetracht der Lage ist die Ausreise ratsam.

Die Ausreise markiert eine Zäsur in...

Die Ausreise markiert eine Zäsur in seiner Biografie.

Word Family

Nouns

der Ausreiser (rare, person leaving)

das Ausreisevisum

die Ausreisekontrolle

die Ausreisegenehmigung

der Ausreiseantrag

Verbs

ausreisen (to leave a country)

Adjectives

ausreisepflichtig (obligated to leave)

ausreisebereit (ready to leave)

die Einreise

die Reise

reisen

der Reisende

das Reisepass

How to Use It

frequency

High in travel, law, and history contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using 'Ausgang' for leaving a country. → die Ausreise
Ausgang is a physical door; Ausreise is the legal event of leaving a nation.
Saying 'bei die Ausreise'. → bei der Ausreise
The preposition 'bei' always requires the dative case. Since Ausreise is feminine, 'die' becomes 'der'.
Confusing 'Ausreise' with 'Abreise'. → die Ausreise (for borders)
Use 'Abreise' for general travel (leaving home/hotel). Use 'Ausreise' for crossing international borders.
Using 'Ausreise' for moving out of an apartment. → der Auszug
Auszug is for homes; Ausreise is for countries.
Pluralizing it unnecessarily. → die Ausreise (singular)
While 'die Ausreisen' is grammatically correct, it's rarely used in everyday speech.

Tips

Master the Preposition

Always use 'bei der Ausreise' to mean 'at the time of exit'. This is a fixed phrase you will hear constantly at borders.

Learn the Antonym

Learn 'Einreise' and 'Ausreise' together. They are two sides of the same coin and usually appear together on forms.

Historical Context

In German history books, 'Ausreise' is a keyword. Knowing this helps you understand many documentaries about the Cold War.

Airport Signs

Look for 'Ausreise' signs when you are looking for passport control to leave the country. Don't look for 'Ausgang' (which leads to the street).

Business German

In business, 'Ausreise' is used for international assignments. Use it to sound professional when discussing relocation.

Visa Matters

If you are an expat, 'Ausreise' is the word you need for your visa status. 'Ausreisefrist' is your deadline to leave.

The 'Out' Prefix

Associate 'Aus-' with 'Exit'. 'Aus-reise' = 'Exit-journey'. This works for many German words like 'Ausgang' or 'Ausfahrt'.

Compound Power

German loves compound words. Try using 'Ausreisebedingungen' instead of 'Regeln für die Ausreise' to sound more native.

Listen for the 'S'

Native speakers pronounce the 's' in 'Ausreise' very sharply. This helps distinguish it from 'Abreise' which has a 'b' sound.

Polite Inquiry

If you are unsure at a border, ask: 'Ist hier die Ausreise?' (Is the exit here?) It's short and clear.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'AUS' (Out) and 'REISE' (Journey). An 'Ausreise' is your 'Out-Journey' from a country.

Visual Association

Imagine a red 'EXIT' sign at a huge border gate with a German flag behind it. The sign says 'AUSREISE'.

Word Web

Pass Zoll Grenze Visum Flughafen Koffer Stempel Polizei

Challenge

Try to use 'Ausreise' in a sentence about a time you left a country. For example: 'Meine Ausreise aus England war sehr regnerisch.'

Word Origin

Formed from the prefix 'aus-' (out) and the noun 'Reise' (journey/travel). The word 'Reise' comes from the Middle High German 'reise', which originally meant a military expedition or a setting out.

Original meaning: Setting out to go outside.

Germanic.

Cultural Context

Be sensitive when using this word with older people from the former East Germany, as it might bring up difficult memories of family separation.

In English, we usually just say 'leaving the country' or 'departure'. We don't have a single specific noun that is used as frequently as 'Ausreise' in official contexts.

The movie 'Das Leben der Anderen' (The Lives of Others) depicts the struggle of artists in the GDR wanting an Ausreise. Historical documents of the 'Wende' (the turn) frequently mention 'Ausreisewellen' (waves of people leaving). German airport signs 'Passkontrolle Ausreise'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Airport Security

Wo ist die Ausreisekontrolle?
Gibt es Probleme bei der Ausreise?
Ich brauche einen Stempel für die Ausreise.
Wie lange dauert die Ausreise?

Immigration Office

Ich möchte einen Antrag auf Ausreise stellen.
Wann endet meine Ausreisefrist?
Ist meine Ausreise genehmigt?
Ich brauche eine Ausreisebescheinigung.

History Class

Die Ausreise aus der DDR war schwer.
Viele Menschen stellten einen Ausreiseantrag.
Die Ausreise wurde oft verweigert.
Die Massenausreise führte zum Mauerfall.

International Business

Wir planen die Ausreise des Mitarbeiters.
Die Ausreiseformalitäten sind erledigt.
Wer zahlt die Kosten für die Ausreise?
Die Ausreise erfolgt nächsten Montag.

News/Politics

Das Land verhängte ein Ausreiseverbot.
Die Ausreise der Diplomaten wurde gefordert.
Es gibt eine neue Regelung zur Ausreise.
Die Zahl der Ausreisen ist gestiegen.

Conversation Starters

"Hattest du schon mal Probleme bei der Ausreise aus einem Land?"

"Was sind die wichtigsten Dokumente für eine reibungslose Ausreise?"

"Denkst du, dass Ausreisekontrollen innerhalb Europas wieder eingeführt werden sollten?"

"Wie hat sich die Ausreise aus Deutschland in den letzten 50 Jahren verändert?"

"Was ist das erste, was du nach deiner Ausreise aus einem Land machst?"

Journal Prompts

Beschreibe deine Gefühle bei deiner letzten Ausreise aus deiner Heimat.

Ist eine Ausreise immer ein Neuanfang oder ein Abschied? Erkläre deine Meinung.

Stell dir vor, dir wird die Ausreise verweigert. Was würdest du tun?

Schreibe über die historische Bedeutung der Ausreise für Deutschland.

Welche bürokratischen Schritte sind für eine Ausreise in ein Nicht-EU-Land notwendig?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, 'Ausreise' applies to leaving a country by any means—plane, train, car, ship, or even on foot. It is the legal act of crossing the border outward.

Historically, it was a formal application in the GDR to be allowed to leave for West Germany. Today, it might refer to any formal request to exit a country that requires permission.

No, for a city or a hotel, use 'Abreise'. 'Ausreise' is strictly for international borders.

It is a legal term meaning 'obligated to leave the country'. It usually applies to people whose visas or residency permits have expired.

Yes, especially in news, at airports, and in legal contexts. Every traveler entering or leaving Germany will see this word.

The plural is 'die Ausreisen', but it is rarely used because we usually talk about the act of leaving in the singular.

Not necessarily. It can be for a short vacation or a permanent move. It just describes the act of crossing the border.

It is the 'exit control' or passport check you go through before leaving a country's jurisdiction.

The related verb is 'ausreisen'. For example: 'Ich reise morgen aus.' (I am leaving the country tomorrow.)

It is feminine: 'die Ausreise'. In the dative (after 'bei' or 'vor'), it becomes 'der Ausreise'.