der
Ausstand
📖 What does "der Ausstand" mean?
The word der Ausstand has several meanings, depending on the context:
- 1. Strike / Work stoppage ✊: This is the most common meaning. An Ausstand refers to the collective refusal of employees to work in order to enforce certain demands (e.g., höhere Löhne - higher wages, bessere Arbeitsbedingungen - better working conditions). It's a synonym for Streik or Arbeitskampf.
Example: Die Gewerkschaft rief zum Ausstand auf. (The union called for a strike.) - 2. Outstanding (monetary) amount 💰: In a commercial context, der Ausstand (often in plural: die Ausstände) refers to unpaid invoices or outstanding receivables of a company from its customers.
Example: Die Abteilung Mahnwesen kümmert sich um die hohen Ausstände. (The dunning department handles the high outstanding amounts.) - 3. Farewell from a position / Retirement 👋: Less common, but also used, is the meaning of farewell, especially when leaving professional life (Ruhestand - retirement) or a long-held position. One "gives their Ausstand" (seinen Ausstand geben), often involving a small party or drinks.
Example: Zu seinem Ausstand lud er alle Kollegen ein. (He invited all colleagues for his farewell.)
⚠️ Pay attention to the context to understand the correct meaning!
🧐 Grammar of "Ausstand" in Detail
The noun "Ausstand" is masculine (maskulin).
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Ausstand |
| Genitive | des | Ausstand(e)s |
| Dative | dem | Ausstand(e) |
| Accusative | den | Ausstand |
The plural (die Ausstände) is mainly used for the meaning "outstanding amounts". For the meaning "strike", the singular is mostly used, even if multiple strikes are meant (one would rather speak of Streiks or Arbeitskämpfe). The plural for "farewell" is uncommon.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Ausstände |
| Genitive | der | Ausstände |
| Dative | den | Ausständen |
| Accusative | die | Ausstände |
📝 Example Sentences:
- (Strike): Der Ausstand der Piloten legte den Flugverkehr lahm.
(The pilots' strike paralyzed air traffic.) - (Outstanding amounts): Das Unternehmen hat noch erhebliche Ausstände bei seinen Lieferanten.
(The company still has significant outstanding debts with its suppliers.) - (Farewell): Nach 40 Jahren im Betrieb gab er seinen Ausstand.
(After 40 years at the company, he gave his farewell.)
💡 How to use "Ausstand"?
- Context "Strike": Often used in news about collective bargaining and labor disputes. Streik is more common in general language; Ausstand sounds slightly more formal or is used specifically for organized work stoppages.
- Context "Outstanding amounts": Primarily used in accounting and bookkeeping. When talking about Ausstände, it almost always refers to unpaid invoices.
- Context "Farewell": Rather informal, often among colleagues. Seinen Ausstand geben means organizing a small farewell party or at least providing drinks/cake.
Risk of confusion: Do not confuse with "Aufstand" (uprising, revolt) or "Anstand" (decency, propriety).
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
- Article Mnemonic: Imagine DER angry boss stood outside (stand aussen) because the employees were on Ausstand (strike). (DER Ausstand)
- Meaning Mnemonic:
- For "Strike": Work stands still, everything is out (off). -> Ausstand.
- For "Outstanding amounts": The money is still standing out (owed). -> Ausstand.
- For "Farewell": You metaphorically stand up and out of your old job/position. -> Ausstand.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- For Strike: der Streik, der Arbeitskampf, die Arbeitsniederlegung
- For outstanding amounts: die Forderung(en) (claims/receivables), die Schulden (debts - from the debtor's perspective), die Außenstände (outstanding debts/items), die offenen Posten (open items)
- For Farewell: die Verabschiedung (farewell ceremony), der Abschiedsumtrunk (farewell drinks), der Ruhestand (retirement - context)
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- For Strike: die Arbeit (work), der Betrieb (operation), die Arbeitsaufnahme (resumption of work)
- For outstanding amounts: der Zahlungseingang (receipt of payment), die Begleichung (settlement), die Gutschrift (credit entry)
- For Farewell: der Eintritt (entry), der Antritt (commencement/start), der Dienstbeginn (start of work)
⚠️ Similar but different words:
😂 A Little Joke
German: Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: "Haben Sie Hobbys?"
Mitarbeiter: "Ja, ich gebe gerne meinen Ausstand."
Chef: "Wie meinen Sie das?"
Mitarbeiter: "Naja, ich fange hier an, und wenn es mir nicht gefällt, gebe ich nach einer Woche meinen Ausstand und suche mir was Neues!"
English Translation: The boss asks the new employee: "Do you have any hobbies?"
Employee: "Yes, I enjoy giving my Ausstand (farewell)."
Boss: "What do you mean?"
Employee: "Well, I start here, and if I don't like it, I'll give my Ausstand after a week and look for something new!"
✍️ Poem about Ausstand
German:
Die Arbeit ruht, die Hallen leer,
Der Ausstand fordert, laut und sehr.
Ein Recht erkämpfen, Hand in Hand,
Still steht die Produktion im Land.
Doch meint's auch Schulden, unbezahlt,
Ein Posten, der im Buche prahlt.
Und geht wer fort, nach langer Zeit,
Gibt er zum Abschied ihn, bereit.
English Translation:
Work rests, the halls are bare,
The Ausstand demands, loud and with flair.
To fight for a right, hand in hand,
Production stands still in the land.
But it also means debts, unpaid,
An item that in the books is displayed.
And if someone leaves, after a long time's flight,
They give it as farewell, ready and right.
🧩 Riddle
German:
Ich kann Arbeit stoppen oder Geld bedeuten, das noch fehlt.
Manchmal feiert man mich auch, wenn jemand Abschied wählt.
Mein Artikel ist männlich, das ist doch klar.
Was bin ich?
English Translation:
I can stop work or mean money that's still missing.
Sometimes I'm celebrated when someone chooses leaving.
My article is masculine, that much is clear.
What am I?
Solution: der Ausstand
💡 Other Information
Word Composition: The word "Ausstand" is composed of the prefix "aus" (meaning out, finished, not present) and the noun "Stand" (meaning state, position, standstill).
Context Dependency: The meaning of Ausstand is highly dependent on the context. Without context, it's most often understood as a strike.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Ausstand?
The word "Ausstand" is masculine: der Ausstand. It most commonly means strike, but can also refer to outstanding debts (then often plural: die Ausstände) or a farewell (e.g., from professional life).