der
Ausfall
💡 What exactly does "der Ausfall" mean?
Der Ausfall (masculine) is a noun with several meanings, often describing something negative or missing:
- Technology & Systems: The sudden cessation of function, a malfunction, or breakdown. Example: Ein Stromausfall (power outage), Systemausfall (system failure), Motorausfall (engine failure).
- Finance & Economy: A loss, deficit, or the non-occurrence of expected income or services. Example: Ein Ernteausfall (crop failure), Forderungsausfall (default on receivables), Zahlungsausfall (payment default).
- Events & Appointments: A cancellation or non-occurrence. Example: Der Ausfall eines Konzerts (cancellation of a concert), Unterrichtsausfall (class cancellation), Zugausfall (train cancellation).
- People (Health/Work): The absence or unavailability of a person due to illness or other reasons. Example: Der krankheitsbedingte Ausfall eines Mitarbeiters (absence of an employee due to illness), Personalengpässe durch Ausfälle (staff shortages due to absences).
⚠️ Although the meanings vary, they share the common theme that something expected or functional is missing or interrupted.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-all → almost always masculine.
🧐 Grammar of "der Ausfall" in Detail
The word "Ausfall" is a masculine noun. Here is its declension:
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Ausfall |
| Genitive | des | Ausfall(e)s |
| Dative | dem | Ausfall(e) |
| Accusative | den | Ausfall |
Declension Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Ausfälle |
| Genitive | der | Ausfälle |
| Dative | den | Ausfällen |
| Accusative | die | Ausfälle |
Example Sentences for Grammar
- Nominative: Der Ausfall des Servers verursachte große Probleme. (The server failure caused major problems.)
- Genitive: Trotz des Ausfalls wichtiger Spieler gewann die Mannschaft. (Despite the absence of key players, the team won.)
- Dative: Nach dem Ausfall wurde ein Ersatzteil bestellt. (After the failure, a spare part was ordered.)
- Accusative: Wir mussten den Ausfall des Zuges hinnehmen. (We had to accept the train cancellation.)
- Plural: Die häufigen Ausfälle der Maschine führten zu Verzögerungen. (The frequent failures of the machine led to delays.)
💬 How to use "Ausfall"?
"Der Ausfall" is used in various contexts, mostly to describe an unexpected or negative event of something missing or not functioning.
- In the technical field: When talking about a Systemausfall, Netzwerkausfall (network outage), or Stromausfall (power outage), it clearly means something has stopped working.
- In an economic context: An Ernteausfall (crop failure) or Forderungsausfall (default on receivables) signifies a financial loss. A Produktionsausfall stops manufacturing.
- For events/transport: A Konzertausfall (concert cancellation) or Zugausfall (train cancellation) means it's called off. Unterrichtsausfall (class cancellation) is common in schools.
- In HR/Health: Here, der Ausfall often refers to the absence of employees (Krankheitsausfall - absence due to illness, Personalausfall - staff absence).
Distinguishing from similar words:
- Störung (die): Often less severe than an Ausfall, more like a temporary disruption. An Ausfall can be the result of a Störung.
- Verlust (der): Refers more generally to losing something (money, object, person), whereas Ausfall specifically targets function, participation, or yield.
- Absage (die): Emphasizes the active decision to cancel something, while Ausfall can also happen due to external circumstances (technology, illness).
🧠 Memory Aids for "der Ausfall"
Article Mnemonic (der)
Imagine: Der boss is *furious* about der tech *failure* (Ausfall). Boss is often masculine in German examples -> der Ausfall. Or: Der *power* fails - der *Ausfall*.
Meaning Mnemonic
Think of something important *falling out* of the plan ('aus' + 'fallen'). That's an Ausfall – whether it's technology, money, an event, or a person. Something is missing.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for "der Ausfall"
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- For technology/systems: Panne (die) (breakdown), Störung (die) (malfunction, disruption), Defekt (der) (defect), Zusammenbruch (der) (collapse)
- For finance/economy: Verlust (der) (loss), Defizit (das) (deficit), Einnahmeausfall (der) (loss of revenue), Fehlbetrag (der) (shortfall)
- For events/appointments: Absage (die) (cancellation), Streichung (die) (deletion, cancellation), Nichtstattfinden (das) (non-occurrence)
- For people: Fehlen (das) (absence), Abwesenheit (die) (absence), Verhinderung (die) (prevention from attending)
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
- For technology/systems: Funktion (die) (function), Betrieb (der) (operation), Laufen (das) (running)
- For finance/economy: Gewinn (der) (profit), Ertrag (der) (yield, return), Einnahme (die) (income, revenue), Überschuss (der) (surplus)
- For events/appointments: Stattfinden (das) (occurrence), Durchführung (die) (execution, happening), Veranstaltung (die) (event)
- For people: Anwesenheit (die) (presence), Teilnahme (die) (participation), Verfügbarkeit (die) (availability)
🚨 Similar Words (Beware of Confusion!):
😄 A Little Joke
German: Fragt der Chef den IT-Admin: "Warum gab es gestern schon wieder einen Serverausfall?" Antwortet der Admin: "Tja, Chef, manchmal braucht auch die Technik eine unerwartete Kaffeepause!" ☕️
English Translation: The boss asks the IT admin: "Why was there another server failure yesterday?" The admin replies: "Well, boss, sometimes even technology needs an unexpected coffee break!" ☕️
📜 Poem about the Ausfall
German:
Der Bildschirm schwarz, kein Mucks, kein Ton,
der Server schweigt, das ist kein Hohn.
Ein jäher Stopp, ein Stillstand klar,
der Ausfall ist nun plötzlich da.
Kein Strom, kein Netz, die Arbeit ruht,
es fehlt die Kraft, es fehlt der Mut.
Ein unerwünschter, leerer Raum,
zerplatzt ist mancher Arbeitstraum.
English Translation:
The screen is black, no sound, no peep,
The server's silent, secrets keep.
A sudden halt, a standstill clear,
The failure ('der Ausfall') now is suddenly here.
No power, network, work must wait,
Missing the strength, defying fate.
An undesired, empty space,
Shattered is many a work dream's trace.
🤔 Little Riddle
German:
Ich komme oft zur falschen Zeit,
mach Technik oder Menschen breit.
Mal bin ich Strom, mal ein Termin,
mal fehlt im Plan das Geld, der Sinn.
Manchmal lieg' ich krank im Bett,
oder mach' das Internet komplett hinüber, wett'?
Was bin ich?
English Translation:
I often come at the wrong time,
Affecting tech or people, it's a crime.
Sometimes I'm power, sometimes a date,
Sometimes the plan lacks money, or its fate.
Sometimes I lie sick in bed,
Or wreck the internet instead, you bet?
What am I?
Solution: der Ausfall (the failure/outage/cancellation/absence)
🧩 Other Interesting Details
Word Formation
The word "Ausfall" is a noun derived from the verb ausfallen. It consists of the prefix aus- (often indicating an end, removal, or result) and the verb fallen (to fall).
Related Terms
- ausfallen (verb): to be cancelled, to fail, to be absent (e.g., "Der Zug fällt aus." - The train is cancelled., "Der Strom ist ausgefallen." - The power failed., "Ihm fallen die Haare aus." - His hair is falling out.)
- ausfällig werden (idiom): to become insulting or rude (unrelated to the main meaning of 'Ausfall'!)
- Ausfallschritt (der): a lunge (in sports or fencing).
- Ausfallstraße (die): an arterial road leading out of a city.
Summary: is it der, die or das Ausfall?
The word 'Ausfall' is always masculine, so you always say der Ausfall (genitive: des Ausfalls, plural: die Ausfälle). It typically describes an interruption, absence, failure, or loss.