der  Ausbruch

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʔaʊsˌbʁʊx/

🌋 What Exactly Does "der Ausbruch" Mean?

Der Ausbruch is a masculine noun (*Maskulinum*) and generally describes the sudden emergence or escape of something. It has several specific meanings:

• 🦠 Outbreak (of disease): The sudden and often rapid appearance and spread of a disease within a population (e.g., der Ausbruch der Grippe - *the outbreak of the flu*).
• 🌋 Eruption (volcano/geyser): The eruption of lava, ash, or gas from a volcano or water from a geyser (e.g., der Ausbruch des Vesuvs - *the eruption of Vesuvius*).
• 🏃 Escape/Breakout: Escaping from captivity or confinement (e.g., der Ausbruch aus dem Gefängnis - *the escape from prison*).
• 😠 Outburst (of emotion): A sudden, often violent expression of emotions (anger, joy, sadness) (e.g., ein Wutausbruch - *an outburst of anger*, ein Gefühlsausbruch - *an emotional outburst*).
• ⚔️ Outbreak (of conflict): The sudden start of hostilities or violence (e.g., der Ausbruch des Krieges - *the outbreak of war*).

⚠️ Pay attention to the context to grasp the correct meaning.

Article rules for der, die, and das

The Grammar of "der Ausbruch" 🧐

The word "Ausbruch" is a masculine noun. The article is der. Here is the declension:

Example Sentences:

• Der Ausbruch des Vulkans war spektakulär. (The eruption of the volcano was spectacular. - Nominative Singular)
• Wir gedenken der Opfer des plötzlichen Ausbruchs der Seuche. (We remember the victims of the sudden outbreak of the epidemic. - Genitive Singular)
• Nach dem Ausbruch aus dem Gefängnis war er auf der Flucht. (After the escape from prison, he was on the run. - Dative Singular)
• Die Nachrichten meldeten einen neuen Ausbruch. (The news reported a new outbreak. - Accusative Singular)
• Mehrere Ausbrüche von Gewalt erschütterten die Stadt. (Several outbreaks of violence shook the city. - Nominative Plural)
• Die Folgen der Ausbrüche waren verheerend. (The consequences of the outbreaks were devastating. - Genitive Plural)
• Man versuchte, mit schnellen Maßnahmen den Ausbrüchen entgegenzuwirken. (They tried to counteract the outbreaks with swift measures. - Dative Plural)
• Die Behörden untersuchen die jüngsten Ausbrüche. (The authorities are investigating the recent outbreaks. - Accusative Plural)

When to Use "Ausbruch"? 🤔

"Ausbruch" is used whenever something begins, emerges, or escapes suddenly, and often unexpectedly or violently.

• Typical Contexts: Natural disasters (Vulkanausbruch - *volcanic eruption*), epidemics (Krankheitsausbruch - *disease outbreak*, Seuchenausbruch - *epidemic outbreak*), crime (Gefängnisausbruch - *prison escape*), emotions (Wutausbruch - *outburst of anger*, Freudenausbruch - *outburst of joy*), conflicts (Kriegsausbruch - *outbreak of war*, Gewaltausbruch - *outbreak of violence*).
• Style: The word can be neutral but also sound dramatic, depending on the context. A Krankheitsausbruch is often a factual statement, whereas a Gefühlsausbruch is very personal and emotional.
• Distinction from similar words:
  • Durchbruch (*breakthrough*): Usually refers to overcoming an obstacle or a major success (e.g., wissenschaftlicher Durchbruch - *scientific breakthrough*), but can also mean breaking through a line (military).
  • Ausfall (*failure, outage, sortie*): Mostly refers to something not functioning (Stromausfall - *power outage*) or a military departure from a besieged position.
  • Beginn/Anfang (*start, beginning*): Are more neutral and less sudden/violent than Ausbruch (e.g., der Beginn des Frühlings - *the beginning of spring* vs. der Ausbruch des Winters - the latter implies a sudden, harsh onset of winter).

Memory Aids for "der Ausbruch" 🧠

Article Mnemonic (der): Think of der Mann (*the* man) having an emotional *Ausbruch*, or der Vulkan (*the* volcano) having an *Ausbruch*, or der Gefangene (*the* prisoner) planning *der Ausbruch*. Many typical subjects associated with an *Ausbruch* are masculine in German.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine something being contained and then suddenly 'breaking out' (aus-brechen -> Ausbruch). It 'breaks out' of a volcano (lava), 'breaks out' of prison (escapee), 'breaks out' in a population (disease), or 'breaks out' from within (emotions).

Synonyms & Antonyms 🔄

⚠️ Watch out for similar words:

• Abbruch (*termination, demolition*): Ends something (e.g., Bauabbruch - *demolition of a building*, Beziehungsabbruch - *breaking off a relationship*). Not to be confused with the beginning/emergence of 'Ausbruch'.
• Einbruch (*burglary, slump*): Breaking into something (e.g., Einbruch in ein Haus - *burglary*) or a sudden drop (Temperatureinbruch - *drop in temperature*).
• Zusammenbruch (*collapse*): A physical, mental, or structural collapse.

A Little Joke 😄

Fragt ein Vulkan den anderen: "Hast du manchmal auch so plötzliche Ausbrüche?" Sagt der andere: "Nein, ich kann meine Lava gut unter Kontrolle halten. Aber mein kleiner Bruder, der Geysir, der sprudelt ständig über!"

(One volcano asks another: "Do you sometimes have such sudden eruptions (outbursts)?" The other says: "No, I can keep my lava well under control. But my little brother, the geyser, he's constantly bubbling over!")

Poem about "Ausbruch" 📜

Im Innern grollt's, ein dumpfer Klang,
Bis Spannung bricht den alten Zwang.
Der Ausbruch kommt, mit Macht und Laut,
Ob Feuerberg, ob Zorneshaut.
Gefühle fließen, Mauern fallen,
Ein neuer Anfang schallt durchs All.

(Inside it rumbles, a dull sound,
Till tension breaks the old chains bound.
The outbreak comes, with might and call,
Be it fiery mount or angry squall.
Emotions flow, walls start to fall,
A new beginning echoes through all.)

Little Riddle 🤔

Ich kann heiß sein wie Feuer oder kalt wie Eis.
Ich kann Viren verbreiten oder Gefühle zeigen, ganz leis.
Manchmal flieh' ich aus Mauern, manchmal beginn' ich Streit.
Ich bin plötzlich und heftig, zu jeder Zeit.

Was bin ich?
... Der Ausbruch

(I can be hot as fire or cold as ice.
I can spread viruses or show feelings, quite nice (or: quiet and precise).
Sometimes I flee from walls, sometimes I start a fight.
I am sudden and fierce, at any time, day or night.

What am I?
... Der Ausbruch / The outbreak/eruption/escape/outburst)

Further Interesting Details 💡

Word Composition: The word "Ausbruch" is composed of the prefix "aus" (*out, from inside to outside*) and the noun "Bruch" (*break, rupture, fracture*). It literally describes 'breaking out'.

Cultural References: Volcanic eruptions like that of Vesuvius (Pompeii) or the outbreak of certain diseases (like the plague) have significantly shaped history and culture and are frequent topics in literature and film.