der / die  Ausschank

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaʊsˌʃaŋk/

🍻 What does "Ausschank" mean?

The word Ausschank can have two different articles in German, der or die, leading to slightly different meanings. It's important to consider the context.

Der Ausschank (masculine)

This is the most common form. 'Der Ausschank' refers to:

• The act of serving drinks, especially alcoholic beverages.
• The place or establishment where drinks are served (e.g., a bar, a pub section, an area at a festival).
• The period of time during which drinks may be served (e.g., bis zum Ausschankende - until the end of serving time).

Die Ausschank (feminine)

This form is less common and often regional or technical. 'Die Ausschank' usually denotes:

• The physical counter or bar where drinks are served. Common synonyms for this are die Theke or die Bar.

🚨 Attention: In everyday language, der Ausschank dominates for the place and the act. Die Ausschank for the counter is used less frequently but is correct.

🧐 Grammar & Declension of Ausschank

The declension of 'Ausschank' depends on its gender (Genus), determined by the article.

Declension "der Ausschank" (masculine)

Declension "die Ausschank" (feminine)

Example Sentences

• Der Ausschank von Wein beginnt um 18 Uhr. (The serving of wine starts at 6 PM. - Act)
• Wir treffen uns im Festzelt beim Ausschank. (We'll meet in the festival tent at the bar/serving area. - Place)
• Der Ausschank schließt um Mitternacht. (The bar/serving closes at midnight. - Establishment/Time)
• Stell die Gläser bitte an die Ausschank. (Please put the glasses on the bar/counter. - Counter - less common)
• Auf dem Oktoberfest gibt es viele Ausschänke. (There are many bars/serving stations at Oktoberfest. - Plural of 'der Ausschank' - Places)

💡 When to use "Ausschank"?

The term Ausschank is firmly rooted in the context of gastronomy, events, and the sale of beverages.

• Der Ausschank (common): Used when talking about the serving of drinks (Der Ausschank erfolgt nur an Volljährige - Serving is only to adults), the area where this happens (Der Biergarten hat einen eigenen Ausschank - The beer garden has its own serving area/bar), or the opening hours of this area (Der Ausschank endet um 23 Uhr - Serving ends at 11 PM). It's the standard term in this context.
• Die Ausschank (rare): Used specifically for the counter where drinks are served (Hinter der Ausschank stand der Wirt - The landlord stood behind the bar/counter). However, the words Theke or Tresen are often preferred for this. Using 'die Ausschank' can sometimes sound a bit more formal or technical.

Compared to Bar or Theke, Ausschank often emphasizes the act of serving more strongly or refers to the designated (often temporary) area, e.g., at a market or festival.

🧠 Mnemonics for Ausschank

For the article: Think of DER business (masculine: Betrieb) or DER process (masculine: Vorgang) of serving drinks – that's the common form, der Ausschank. DIE counter (feminine: Theke) is less common, just like die Ausschank.

For the meaning: Imagine someone pouring drinks AUS (out) of a barrel or bottle into glasses, the old verb was schenken/schänken (to pour/serve). This action and place is the Ausschank.

🔄 Synonyms & Opposites

Similar, but different words

• Geschenk: Sounds similar, but means 'gift/present'.
• Schrank: Means 'cupboard/closet'.

😄 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Gast den Wirt: "Warum heißt das eigentlich Ausschank?" Antwortet der Wirt: "Weil hier so lange ausgeschenkt wird, bis einer 'Aus!' schreit und der andere 'Schank!' sagt – äh, ich meine, Danke!" 😉

English Translation: A guest asks the landlord: "Why is it actually called Ausschank?" The landlord replies: "Because we serve ('ausschenken') here until one person shouts 'Aus!' (Out/Over!) and the other says 'Schank!' (sounds like 'Thank') – uh, I mean, Danke (Thanks)!" 😉

📜 Poem about the Ausschank

German:
Am Ausschank, hell und klar,
Steht Bier und Wein bereit fürwahr.
Der Wirt schenkt ein mit frohem Mut,
Ein kühler Trunk, der allen guttut.
Ob der Betrieb, ob die Theke blank,
Hier endet Durst, Gott sei es Dank!

English Translation:
At the Ausschank, bright and clear,
Beer and wine are ready here.
The host pours out with cheerful mood,
A cool drink that does everyone good.
Whether der (the) business, or die (the) counter bare,
Thirst ends here, thanks be to prayer!

❓ Riddle

German:
Ich habe keinen Mund, doch gebe Trank.
Mal bin ich männlich ('der'), mal weiblich ('die'), je nach Schrank... äh, Gebrauch und Ort.
An mir wird oft gelacht, getrunken, geredet.
Was bin ich?

Lösung: Der/Die Ausschank

English Translation:
I have no mouth, yet I give drink.
Sometimes I'm masculine ('der'), sometimes feminine ('die'), depending on the... uh, use and place.
People often laugh, drink, and talk at me.
What am I?

Solution: Der/Die Ausschank (The bar/serving area/act of serving)

🧩 Word Composition & More

The word Ausschank is composed of:

• aus-: Prefix indicating movement from inside to outside or distribution.
• Schank: Noun derived from the verb stem of 'schenken' (in the old sense of 'to pour', 'to serve'). The verb 'schänken' or 'ausschenken' (to pour out/serve) is the base.

Related words include Schänke (pub/tavern), Mundschenk (cupbearer - historical profession), Geschenk (gift/present).