der  Ausschlag

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaʊsˌʃlaːk/

📖 What does "der Ausschlag" mean?

The word der Ausschlag has several meanings:

• Medical (Hautausschlag): A visible change on the skin's surface, often itchy or red, as a reaction to illness, allergy, or irritation. Example: Nach dem Waldspaziergang hatte er einen juckenden Ausschlag. (After the walk in the woods, he had an itchy rash.)
• Technical/Physical (Abweichung): The movement or deflection of a needle or indicator from its resting position on a measuring device. Example: Der Ausschlag des Seismographen war enorm. (The deflection of the seismograph was enormous.)
• Figurative (entscheidender Faktor): The point, reason, or circumstance that brings about a decision or significantly influences a development. Often used in the phrase “den Ausschlag geben” (to be the deciding factor). Example: Seine Erfahrung gab den Ausschlag für die Beförderung. (His experience was the deciding factor for the promotion.)

🚨 Although there are different meanings, the word is always used with the article “der” and is masculine.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Der Ausschlag

The noun “der Ausschlag” is masculine. Here is its declension:

📝 Example Sentences

1. Der Arzt untersuchte den Ausschlag am Arm des Patienten.
   (The doctor examined the rash on the patient's arm.)
2. Ein starker Ausschlag des Voltmeters zeigte eine Überspannung an.
   (A strong deflection of the voltmeter indicated an overvoltage.)
3. Das gute Wetter gab den Ausschlag für unseren Ausflug.
   (The good weather was the deciding factor for our trip.)
4. Manche Krankheiten verursachen charakteristische Ausschläge.
   (Some diseases cause characteristic rashes.)

🗣️ How to use "Ausschlag"?

• In a medical context: Used when talking about skin changes, redness, pustules, etc. Example phrases: “einen Ausschlag bekommen” (to get a rash), “juckender Ausschlag” (itchy rash), “allergischer Ausschlag” (allergic rash).
• In a technical context: Refers to the movement of a pointer (e.g., speedometer, scale, measuring instrument). Example phrases: “Der Zeiger zeigt einen Ausschlag.” (The pointer shows a deflection.), “maximaler Ausschlag” (maximum deflection).
• In a figurative sense: Denotes the decisive impulse or reason for an action or decision. Mostly in the fixed phrase “den Ausschlag geben” (to be the deciding factor). Example: “Was gab den Ausschlag für deine Entscheidung?” (What was the deciding factor for your decision?)

⚠️ Don't confuse “der Ausschlag” (noun) with “ausschlagen” (verb), which can mean things like “to sprout” (plant), “to kick out” (horse), or “to turn down” (an offer).

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Remembering the article: Imagine DER doctor (masculine) looking at DEN Ausschlag (accusative, masculine). Or think: a rash is often an 'aggressive' thing on the skin, like a 'male' attribute -> DER.

Remembering the meanings: Think of the German word “Schlag” (hit, stroke, beat):
1. A 'hit' or irritation on the skin → Hautausschlag (skin rash).
2. The 'swing' or 'beat' of a needle → Zeigerausschlag (deflection).
3. The 'decisive blow' that tips the scales → den Ausschlag geben (to be the deciding factor).

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar sounding, but different words

• Abschlag: reduction (price), first stroke (golf), down payment. Sounds similar, but means something different.
• Aufschlag: price increase, service (tennis), impact.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Mathematiker einen Ausschlag bekommen?
Weil er zu viele Variablen gekratzt hat!

Translation: Why did the mathematician get a rash?
Because he scratched too many variables! (Pun: 'kratzen' means 'to scratch', like an itch, but also colloquially 'to understand/deal with variables'; 'Variablen' sounds like something you could scratch.) 😉

✍️ Poem about "Ausschlag"

Mal juckt er rot, mal ist er klein,
der Ausschlag, ach, das ist nicht fein.
Mal zeigt die Nadel hin und her,
der Ausschlag, der bewegt sich sehr.
Und gibt's am End' den Ausschlag doch,
ist die Entscheidung sonnenloch.

Translation:
Sometimes it itches red, sometimes it's small,
the rash, oh dear, that's not nice at all.
Sometimes the needle points to and fro,
the deflection, it moves quite so.
And if in the end, it's the deciding call,
the decision is clear after all.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich kann auf deiner Haut erscheinen,
oder bei Messgeräten weinen (durch Bewegung).
Ich gebe oft den letzten Grund,
wer bin ich wohl, mach's mir kund?

Translation:
I can appear upon your skin,
Or make measuring devices spin (through movement).
I often give the final reason why,
Who am I then, give it a try!

Answer: Der Ausschlag (the rash / deflection / deciding factor)

💡 Other Information

Word Composition: The word “Ausschlag” is composed of the prefix “aus-” (indicating movement outwards or a result) and the noun “Schlag” (meaning hit, stroke, impact, or movement).

Trivia: There are countless specific medical terms for different types of skin rashes, such as Urtikaria (hives), Ekzem (eczema), or Psoriasis (psoriasis). “Ausschlag” is the general umbrella term in German.