das  Out

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/aʊt/

📖 What does das Out mean?

Das Out is a word borrowed from English (an Anglicism) and primarily has two meanings in German:

• In sports ⚽️: Here, das Out refers to the area outside the boundaries of the playing field or the situation when a ball crosses these boundaries. Example: "Der Ball ist im Out." (The ball is out [of bounds].)
• In a social context 🏳️‍🌈: Less common than the more specific word das Coming-out, das Out can also refer to the state of being 'out' or the act of revealing something about oneself (especially regarding sexual orientation or gender identity). However, its use here is often context-dependent and less precise than das Coming-out.

🚨 Attention: The word aus (lowercase) is a common German preposition or adverb and means something completely different (from, out of, over). Don't confuse it with the noun das Out!

Article rules for der, die, and das

📐 Grammar of das Out

Das Out is a noun of neuter gender (Neutrum). It is mostly used in the singular.

Singular Declension

⚠️ The genitive 's' (des Outs) is possible, but often a construction with von is used instead (e.g., des Balls im Out vs. des Balls, der im Out ist - of the ball that is out).

Plural Declension

A plural form (die Outs) is very uncommon and usually context-dependent (e.g., in specific sports discussions). It's often avoided or replaced by other phrasing. If used, it's typically unchanged or takes an -s.

💡 Examples

1. Der Schiedsrichter entschied auf Out.
   (The referee ruled [it] out.)
2. Nach einem langen Pass landete der Ball im Out.
   (After a long pass, the ball landed out [of bounds].)
3. Sein Out in der Öffentlichkeit war ein mutiger Schritt.
   (His 'out' in public was a brave step. - Less common, usually: Sein Coming-out... - His coming-out...)

💬 Usage in Daily Life

Das Out is primarily found in sports reporting (Fußball, Tennis, Volleyball, etc.). It's a standard term to describe crossing the boundaries of the playing field.

In a social context, the term is less common than das Coming-out. When das Out is used, it's mostly in informal language or within specific communities.

As an Anglicism, it is sometimes perceived as more modern or specific than purely German alternatives like das Aus (which can also mean 'the end').

🧠 Mnemonics for das Out

Article Mnemonic: Think of das Spielfeld (the playing field). What's outside des Spielfelds is das Out. The 's' in das might also help you think of Sport.

Meaning Mnemonic (Sports): Imagine someone shouting loudly: "OUCH! The ball is OUT!" The 'Ouch' sound is similar to Out and evokes the (metaphorical) pain when the ball crosses the line.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but Different Words:

• aus: Preposition/adverb (e.g., aus dem Haus - out of the house, das Licht ist aus - the light is off) - Not the noun!
• outen: Verb (sich outen - to come out, jemanden outen - to out someone)

😄 A Little Joke

Warum spielen Skelette kein Fußball im Regen?
(Why don't skeletons play football/soccer in the rain?)
Weil ihre Knochen im Out nass werden und sie dann keinen trockenen Knochen mehr im Leib haben!
(Because their bones get wet in the out [of bounds area] and then they don't have a dry bone left in their body!)

✒️ Poem about das Out

Der Ball fliegt weit, ein hoher Bogen,
(The ball flies far, a high arc,)
Die Fans sind still, die Luft gewogen.
(The fans are quiet, the air is weighed.)
War er noch drin, war er schon draußen?
(Was it still in, was it already outside?)
Der Linienrichter muss jetzt lauschen,
(The linesman must now listen,)
Doch sieht genau: Die Kreide staubt,
(But sees precisely: The chalk dusts,)
Wo der Ball die Linie raubt.
(Where the ball robs the line.)
Ein Pfiff ertönt, ganz klar und laut:
(A whistle sounds, very clear and loud:)
Der Ball ist leider knapp im Out.
(The ball is unfortunately just out.)

❓ Riddle

Ich bin eine Grenze, doch kein Zaun.
(I am a border, but not a fence.)
Im Sport bin ich oft anzuschaun'.
(In sports, I am often to be seen.)
Tritt der Ball über mich,
(If the ball crosses over me,)
Gibt's Einwurf sicherlich.
(There's surely a throw-in.)

Was bin ich?
(What am I?)
(Solution: das Out)

ℹ️ Other Notes

Das Out is a clear example of an Anglicism that has become firmly established, especially in sports. The use of the neuter article das is typical for many nouns adopted from English that lack a clear equivalent in the German gender system or refer to a neutral state/place.