der  Ausgang

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaʊsˌɡaŋ/

🚪 What does "der Ausgang" mean?

The noun der Ausgang (masculine) has several meanings:

• Physical exit: The most common meaning is a door, gate, or path used to leave a building, room, or area. Example: Wo ist der nächste Ausgang? (Where is the next exit?)
• Outcome / Result: It can also describe the result, course, or end of a situation, event, or action. Example: Der Ausgang der Wahl war überraschend. (The outcome of the election was surprising.)
• Starting point (less common): Sometimes it's used as a starting point or basis for something, often in fixed phrases like "Ausgang nehmen von" (to originate from). Example: Die Diskussion nahm ihren Ausgang bei den neuesten Forschungsergebnissen. (The discussion originated from the latest research findings.)
• Going out / Free time (dated/regional): In the past or regionally, "Ausgang haben" also meant "to be allowed to go out" (e.g., for soldiers, boarding school students).

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

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Ausgang

Der Ausgang is a masculine noun. Its declension is as follows:

Singular Declension

Plural Declension

Example Sentences

1. Nominative: Der Ausgang befindet sich am Ende des Ganges. (The exit is at the end of the corridor.)
2. Genitive: Die Breite des Ausgangs ist genormt. (The width of the exit is standardized.)
3. Dative: Wir trafen uns an dem Ausgang. (We met at the exit.)
4. Accusative: Bitte blockieren Sie nicht den Ausgang! (Please do not block the exit!)
5. Plural: Das Gebäude hat mehrere Ausgänge. (The building has several exits.)
6. Meaning (Outcome): Wir sind gespannt auf den Ausgang des Spiels. (We are curious about the outcome of the game.)

💡 How to use "der Ausgang"?

Der Ausgang is used in various contexts:

• In daily life: When navigating buildings ("Wo ist der Notausgang? - Where is the emergency exit?"), train stations ("Ausgang zur Stadtmitte - Exit to the city center"), or airports.
• Figuratively (Outcome): In discussions about politics, sports, negotiations, or personal situations ("Der Ausgang der Debatte ist noch offen. - The outcome of the debate is still open.").
• Traffic: Also refers to exits on highways (although "Ausfahrt" is more common).
• Fixed expressions: "seinen Ausgang nehmen" (to originate), "einen guten/schlechten Ausgang haben" (to have a good/bad outcome).

Difference from Eingang: The Eingang is the opposite – the place where you enter. Buildings often have separate entrances (Eingänge) and exits (Ausgänge).

Difference from Ausfahrt: An Ausfahrt is more specific to roads and highways, while Ausgang is more general.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Ausgang"

1. Article Mnemonic (der): Imagine a man (masculine = der) making his way out (Aus-) through the exit hallway (-gang). Der Mann uses der Ausgang.

2. Meaning Mnemonic (Way out / Outcome):

   Think: Aus (out) + Gang (walk/way/passage) = the way out, the exit.
   Also think: How does it go out (wie geht es aus?)? That's the outcome (der Ausgang).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Ausgang

⚠️ Similar Words (Potential Confusion!):

• Abgang: Can mean departure (from stage, from office) or a ski run (downhill slope), but not typically a building exit.
• Ausweg: Refers more to a way out of a difficult situation (a solution, an escape), not primarily a physical exit.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum stehen Skelette nie am Notausgang?
Weil sie keinen Ausgang mehr brauchen! 😉

Why do skeletons never stand by the emergency exit?
Because they don't need an exit anymore! 😉

📜 Poem about der Ausgang

Ein Labyrinth, so scheint das Haus,
Wo find' ich nur den Weg hinaus?
Ich such' und frag', bin leicht verwirrt,
Bis jemand auf den Ausgang schwirrt.
Ein Schild, ein Licht, die Tür geht auf,
Das war des Suchens Endverlauf.
Auch im Disput, im Wortgefecht,
Wünscht man sich oft den Ausgang recht.

A labyrinth, the house does seem,
Where can I find the way out's gleam?
I search and ask, confused and lost,
Till someone points towards the exit post.
A sign, a light, the door swings wide,
The search's conclusion, deep inside.
In arguments, in verbal fight,
One often wishes for the outcome's light (the right outcome).

🧩 Riddle Time

Ich bin das Ende eines Wegs im Raum,
Und manchmal auch ein guter oder schlechter Traum (als Ergebnis).
Gehst du durch mich, bist du nicht länger drin.
Was bin ich wohl? Ich hab' maskulinen Sinn.

I am the end of a path within a space,
And sometimes a good or bad dream's face (as an outcome).
If you go through me, you're no longer inside.
What could I be? My gender is masculine (indicated by 'der').

Solution: der Ausgang

✨ Other Information

Word Composition:

The word "Ausgang" is composed of:

• aus: preposition/prefix, meaning 'out' or indicating the end of something.
• Gang: noun, related to "gehen" (to go/walk), meaning way, corridor, or course/progression.

Together, they create the meaning "way out" or "course to the end".

Trivia: In Switzerland, "Ausgang" is also more commonly used than in Germany to mean "going out in the evening for entertainment".