das  Ausflugsziel

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaʊsˌflʊksˌt͡siːl/

📍 What does 'das Ausflugsziel' mean?

An Ausflugsziel (neuter noun, article: das) refers to a place, point, or area that is the destination of an excursion or day trip (der Ausflug). It's the location you travel to in order to do something there, relax, or sightsee – typically for a day or a weekend.

It's a compound noun formed from der Ausflug (excursion, trip) and das Ziel (destination, goal, target). Since the determining part of the compound word (the last part) is Ziel, which is neuter (das Ziel), the entire compound noun Ausflugsziel is also neuter (das Ausflugsziel).

Examples of Ausflugsziele include: parks, lakes, mountains, museums, historic towns, zoos, or amusement parks.

🧐 Grammar of 'Ausflugsziel' in Detail

The word 'Ausflugsziel' is a neuter noun. The article is 'das'. Here is its declension:

📝 Example Sentences

• Das Ausflugsziel war bei schönem Wetter sehr beliebt.
  (The excursion destination was very popular in good weather.)
• Wir suchen noch nach einem schönen Ausflugsziel für das Wochenende.
  (We are still looking for a nice excursion destination for the weekend.)
• Die Region bietet viele attraktive Ausflugsziele für Familien.
  (The region offers many attractive excursion destinations for families.)
• The genitive form is 'des Ausflugsziels' or, less commonly, 'des Ausflugszieles'.

🗺️ How to use 'Ausflugsziel'?

'Ausflugsziel' is used to describe the specific place one heads to during a short trip (an Ausflug). It usually implies a leisure activity and a relatively short travel time (often just one day).

• Typical Contexts: Weekend planning, holidays, leisure activities, tourism brochures, directions.
• Differentiation: While Reiseziel (travel destination) is often used for longer vacations and more distant places, Ausflugsziel typically refers to closer locations for shorter trips. A Urlaubsziel is specifically a holiday destination.
• Compound Nouns: It's a very common example of German compound nouns (Komposita). Understanding how they are formed (Ausflug + Ziel) helps in deciphering many German words.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article 'das': The core word is das Ziel (the goal/target). Think of hitting 'das Ziel' with an arrow. So, it's also das Ausflugsziel.

Meaning: Imagine going on an 'Ausflug' (sounds a bit like 'out-flew' - you flew out for a trip) with a specific 'Ziel' (sounds like 'seal' - maybe your goal is to see a seal at the zoo?). Combine the trip ('Ausflug') and the goal ('Ziel') to get the destination: Ausflugsziel.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but potentially misleading words:

• das Urlaubsziel: Specifically a destination for a longer vacation (Urlaub).
• der Treffpunkt: The meeting point, not necessarily the final destination of the trip.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Lehrer: "Nennt mir drei berühmte Ausflugsziele in Deutschland!"
Schüler: "Der Fernseher, das Sofa und der Kühlschrank!"

Translation:
Teacher asks: "Name three famous excursion destinations in Germany!"
Student: "The TV, the sofa, and the fridge!"

📜 Poem about the Ausflugsziel

Die Sonne scheint, der Himmel klar,
ein neuer Tag ist wunderbar.
Wohin soll heut die Reise geh'n?
Ein schönes Ausflugsziel muss her, bequem.

Vielleicht zum See, zum kühlen Nass,
oder durch den Wald, das macht viel Spaß.
Ein Berg ruft hoch, mit toller Sicht,
ein Ort der Freude, voller Licht.

Das Auto voll, die Stimmung heiter,
zum Ausflugsziel geht's immer weiter.
Ein Tag vergeht, so schnell, so schön,
wir werden bald zum nächsten geh'n!

Translation:
The sun shines, the sky is clear,
a new day is wonderful.
Where should the journey go today?
A nice excursion destination is needed, conveniently.

Perhaps to the lake, to the cool water,
or through the forest, that's a lot of fun.
A mountain calls high, with a great view,
a place of joy, full of light.

The car full, the mood cheerful,
to the excursion destination, we keep going.
A day passes, so quickly, so beautiful,
we will soon go to the next one!

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Ort, nicht weit, nicht fern,
besucht an freien Tagen gern.
Man fährt zu mir für Spaß und Ruh',
packt Picknickkorb und Wanderschuh'.
Mal bin ich Berg, mal See, mal Stadt,
ein Platz, den man im Auge hat.

Was bin ich? ... Das Ausflugsziel

Translation:
I am a place, not far, not distant,
visited gladly on free days.
People travel to me for fun and peace,
packing picnic baskets and hiking boots.
Sometimes I'm a mountain, sometimes a lake, sometimes a city,
a spot one has in mind.

What am I?
... The excursion destination (das Ausflugsziel)

ℹ️ Other Information

Word Composition:

The word 'Ausflugsziel' is a classic example of a German compound noun (Kompositum):

• Der Ausflug: Means a short trip or journey for pleasure.
• Das Ziel: Means the end point of a movement or the intended result (goal, target, destination).

Together, it describes the 'Ziel' (destination) of an 'Ausflug' (excursion).

Importance in Tourism:

Excursion destinations (Ausflugsziele) are a significant part of domestic tourism and regional economic development in German-speaking countries. Many regions actively promote their local Ausflugsziele.