der  Auslauf

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaʊsˌlaʊf/

💧 What does 'der Auslauf' mean?

The word der Auslauf (masculine) has several meanings:

• Outlet, drain, spout: A place where liquid (or bulk material) can exit a container, pipe, or similar. Example: Der Auslauf des Fasses war verstopft. (The outlet of the barrel was blocked.) 🚰
• Discontinuation, phase-out (of a product): The gradual cessation of production or sale of a specific model or product. Often used as Auslaufmodell (discontinued model). Example: Dieses Automodell ist ein Auslauf(modell), es wird nicht mehr hergestellt. (This car model is being discontinued, it's no longer produced.) 📉
• Exercise area, run (for animals): A defined outdoor area where animals (e.g., chickens, dogs, horses) can move freely. Example: Die Hühner haben einen großen Auslauf im Garten. (The chickens have a large run in the garden.) 🐔🐕
• Leakage, spillage: The unintentional escape of a liquid. Example: Der Auslauf von Öl aus dem Tank verursachte Umweltschäden. (The leakage of oil from the tank caused environmental damage.) ⚠️
• Less common: Expiry of a deadline (here, der Ablauf is more common).

🧐 Grammar of 'der Auslauf' Explained

Der Auslauf is a masculine noun. Here are the declension tables:

📝 Example Sentences

1. (Outlet/Drain) Bitte reinige den Auslauf der Badewanne. (Please clean the drain of the bathtub.)
2. (Discontinued model) Das alte Handy ist ein Auslaufmodell und wird bald nicht mehr unterstützt. (The old mobile phone is a discontinued model and will soon no longer be supported.)
3. (Animal run) Die Pferde genießen ihren täglichen Auslauf auf der Koppel. (The horses enjoy their daily run/exercise in the paddock.)
4. (Leakage) Nach dem Unfall gab es einen gefährlichen Auslauf von Chemikalien. (After the accident, there was a dangerous leakage of chemicals.)

🗣️ How to Use 'Auslauf'

The use of der Auslauf heavily depends on the context:

• In a technical or crafts context, it usually refers to an outlet or drain (e.g., on a sink, tank, barrel).
• In an economic context, one speaks of the Auslauf eines Produkts (discontinuation of a product) when it's no longer manufactured (often as Auslaufmodell).
• Regarding animals, Auslauf means the space for free movement.
• The meaning leakage is often used for unintentional spillage of liquids, especially hazardous substances.

⚠️ Be careful not to confuse it with der Ablauf, which more commonly describes a process, the expiry of a deadline, or a sequence of events (e.g., der Ablauf der Veranstaltung - the course of the event, der Ablauf des Vertrags - the expiry of the contract). Der Auslauf is often more physical (opening, area) or refers to the end of a product line.

🧠 Mnemonic Aids

Article Mnemonic: Think of DER tap (der Wasserhahn) which has an Auslauf (outlet). Or DER dog (der Hund) needing his Auslauf (run/exercise). Masculine associations help remember der.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine something 'running out' (auslaufen): water runs out of the pipe (Auslauf = outlet), a model runs out of the assortment (Auslauf = discontinuation), an animal runs out of the stable (Auslauf = run/area).

↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms

😂 A Little Joke about Auslauf

Warum hat das alte Handy so schlechte Laune? 🤔
Weil es weiß, dass es bald nur noch ein Auslaufmodell ist und keinen Empfang mehr im Trend hat!

(Why is the old mobile phone in such a bad mood? 🤔
Because it knows it will soon just be a discontinued model and no longer has reception in the trend!)

📜 Poem about the Word

Der Wasserhahn, er tropft und rinnt,
sein Auslauf nicht mehr ganz dicht sinnt.
Das Huhn im Hof, es rennt im Kreis,
genießt den Auslauf, heiß und leis.
Das alte Produkt, bald ist's vorbei,
als Auslaufmodell steht's auf der Speis'.
Der Auslauf zeigt, was kommt und geht,
ein Wort, das viel im Leben dreht.

(The tap, it drips and flows,
its outlet no longer tightly knows.
The hen in the yard, it runs around,
enjoys the run, hot and without sound.
The old product, soon it's gone,
as a discontinued model it stands upon.
The Auslauf shows what comes and goes,
a word that much in life bestows.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich kann ein Loch im Eimer sein,
lass Flüssigkeiten raus und rein (naja, meistens raus).
Ich geb' den Hühnern Freiraum pur,
und mach ein altes Handy zur Kuriosität nur.

Was bin ich?

(I can be a hole in a bucket,
letting liquids out and in (well, mostly out).
I give chickens pure freedom,
and turn an old mobile phone into just a curiosity.

What am I?)

Solution: der Auslauf

🧩 Other Information

Word Composition:

The word Auslauf is composed of:

• Prefix aus-: indicates movement from inside to outside or an end.
• Verb stem lauf(en): refers to movement (flowing, running, walking).

So, the combination literally describes 'running out', 'running out of the sortiment', or the place where something can 'run out'.