das  Ausmaß

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaʊsˌmaːs/

📏 What exactly is das Ausmaß?

Das Ausmaß (noun, neuter) describes the size, extent, scope, degree, or intensity of something. It's used to indicate the quantitative or qualitative measure of a thing, event, or situation.

• It often refers to abstract concepts like Schaden (damage), Erfolg (success), Einfluss (influence), or Gefühle (feelings).
• It can have both positive and negative connotations, depending on the context (e.g., das Ausmaß der Zerstörung - the extent of the destruction vs. das Ausmaß des Erfolgs - the extent of the success).

🚨 Important: Although it comes from "messen" (to measure), it doesn't always refer to exact measurements but often to a general assessment of size or magnitude.

📐 Grammar in Detail: Das Ausmaß

The noun Ausmaß is neuter and only takes the article das. It follows the strong declension pattern.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

The plural die Ausmaße is rare and mostly used in specific, often technical or scientific contexts, when referring to different types or instances of extents.

📝 Application Examples

1. Das Ausmaß der Schäden war erst nach Tagesanbruch sichtbar.
   (The extent of the damage was only visible after daybreak.)
2. Wir waren uns des vollen Ausmaßes der Situation nicht bewusst.
   (We were not aware of the full extent of the situation.)
3. Man muss der Sache in angemessenem Ausmaß(e) Rechnung tragen.
   (One must take the matter into account to an appropriate extent.)
4. Niemand konnte das genaue Ausmaß vorhersagen.
   (Nobody could predict the exact extent.)
5. Die verschiedenen Ausmaße des Projekts wurden diskutiert.
   (The different scales/extents of the project were discussed. - rare plural)

💡 How to Use das Ausmaß?

Das Ausmaß is frequently used to describe the magnitude or scope of events, conditions, or characteristics. It is often found in news reports, assessments, and evaluations.

• Typical Collocations:
  • das volle/ganze Ausmaß (the full extent)
  • in erheblichem/geringem Ausmaß (to a considerable/small extent)
  • das Ausmaß annehmen/erreichen (to take on/reach the extent)
  • *das Ausmaß der Zerstörung/des Schadens/des Erfolgs* (the extent of the destruction/damage/success)
  • in welchem Ausmaß...? (to what extent...?)
• Context: It's often used when something is hard to grasp or has a large impact. Example: "Das Ausmaß der globalen Erwärmung ist besorgniserregend." (*The extent of global warming is worrying.*)
• Difference from Umfang: While Umfang often refers more to the spatial or thematic breadth, Ausmaß emphasizes the intensity, degree, or severity more strongly. Example: "Der Umfang des Buches ist groß (viele Seiten), aber das Ausmaß seines Einflusses ist noch größer." (*The scope [size] of the book is large [many pages], but the extent of its influence is even greater.*)

🧠 Mnemonics for das Ausmaß

For the article (das): Think of das Maß (the measure). Many German words ending in -maß that describe a type of measurement or standard are neuter (das). Imagine taking out das Maßband (the measuring tape) to figure out das Ausmaß. The tape is neuter, so is the result.

For the meaning (Extent/Scale): Aus-Maß sounds like "out-measure" or "measure out". You measure something out to determine its size, its scope – its Ausmaß.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words (Potential Confusion!)

• Das Maß: measure, standard, unit, or moderation ("in Maßen genießen" - enjoy in moderation). Ausmaß is more specific to the extent/degree.
• Die Maßnahme: measure, action, step taken to achieve or prevent something.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Lehrer: "Wer kann mir das Ausmaß der Faulheit in dieser Klasse nennen?"
Meldet sich Fritzchen: "Ich weiß es nicht genau, Herr Lehrer, aber es muss gewaltig sein. Als ich gestern einschlief, haben Sie noch geredet!"

Teacher asks: "Who can tell me the extent of laziness in this class?"
Little Fritz raises his hand: "I don't know exactly, teacher, but it must be huge. When I fell asleep yesterday, you were still talking!"

✒️ A Little Poem

Die Flut kam schnell, mit Macht und Graus,
enthüllte bald ihr schrecklich Ausmaß.
Was gestern stand, ist fortgerissen,
man kann den Schaden kaum ermessen.
Doch auch der Hilfe, groß und breit,
zeigt sich das Ausmaß Menschlichkeit.

The flood came fast, with might and dread,
Soon revealed its terrible extent.
What stood yesterday is swept away,
The damage can hardly be assessed.
But also the help, vast and wide,
Shows the extent of humanity's tide.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich habe keine Arme, keine Beine, keinen Mund,
doch sag' ich dir von Größe, Schaden oder froher Kund'.
Manchmal bin ich riesig, manchmal kaum zu seh'n,
oft muss man mich erst schätzen, um mich zu versteh'n.

Was bin ich? (Lösung: das Ausmaß)

I have no arms, no legs, no mouth to speak,
Yet I tell of size, of damage, or of news you seek.
Sometimes I am huge, sometimes barely seen,
Often you must estimate me, to know what I mean.

What am I? (Answer: das Ausmaß / the extent)

🧩 Word Formation & Origin

The word Ausmaß is a compound noun formed from the prefix/preposition aus and the noun das Maß.

• aus: Indicates completeness or a result here (something is 'measured out').
• das Maß: Refers to measure, size, standard.

Together, they form the meaning of the result of a measurement or estimation, i.e., the determined extent or degree.