die  Ausbeute

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʔaʊsˌbɔɪ̯tə/

💰 What does "die Ausbeute" mean?

The word die Ausbeute (feminine) has several meanings, often depending on the context:

• Yield / Output / Harvest: The amount of raw materials or products obtained, e.g., from mining, agriculture, or fishing. Example: Die Ausbeute der Mine war dieses Jahr geringer. (The mine's yield was lower this year.)
• Profit / Gain: The benefit or advantage derived from an activity or investment. Example: Die finanzielle Ausbeute des Projekts war beachtlich. (The financial gain from the project was considerable.)
• Exploitation (negative): The ruthless exploitation of people or resources for one's own benefit. 🚨 This meaning has a strong negative connotation. Example: Die Ausbeute von Arbeitskräften ist illegal. (The exploitation of workers is illegal.)

It's important to consider the context to understand the correct meaning.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "die Ausbeute" in Detail

"Ausbeute" is a feminine noun. It is mainly used in the singular, especially when referring to exploitation. The plural "die Ausbeuten" is used less frequently, usually in the sense of yields from various sources.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Die jährliche Ausbeute an Äpfeln war reichlich.
   (The annual yield of apples was plentiful.)
2. Der Dieb machte reiche Ausbeute.
   (The thief made a rich haul/profit.)
3. Gewerkschaften kämpfen gegen die Ausbeute von Arbeitern.
   (Unions fight against the exploitation of workers.)
4. Die verschiedenen Ölfelder lieferten unterschiedliche Ausbeuten.
   (The various oil fields provided different yields.)

💡 How to use "die Ausbeute"?

The usage of die Ausbeute strongly depends on the intended meaning:

• Agriculture/Mining Context: Here, "Ausbeute" neutrally refers to the yield. One speaks of hohe (high) or geringe Ausbeute (low yield). Comparable words are Ertrag (yield), Ernte (harvest), Förderleistung (output rate).
• Finance/Economics Context: "Ausbeute" can denote profit or gain, sometimes also loot obtained illegally (e.g., in a robbery). Alternatives here are Gewinn (profit), Profit (profit), Nutzen (benefit), or Beute (loot, spoils).
• Social/Ethical Context: Here, "Ausbeute" has an exclusively negative meaning, referring to unfair exploitation (e.g., Ausbeute von Arbeitskräften - exploitation of workers, Ausbeute von Ressourcen - exploitation of resources). In this context, Ausbeutung (exploitation) is a direct synonym and often more common. ⚠️ Potential confusion: Ausbeutung is also feminine (die Ausbeutung) and primarily describes the process or state of being exploited, whereas Ausbeute can also refer to the result (the exploiter's 'gain').

Generally: In a technical or economic sense (yield), the term is rather neutral. In a social or ethical context, it is strongly negative.

🧠 Mnemonics for Ausbeute

For the article: Think of "die booty" (like pirate's booty or treasure). Booty is a type of yield or gain, and 'die' sounds a bit like the start of booty, helping remember the feminine article 'die'.

For the meaning: Imagine squeezing something 'aus' (out) to get your 'Beute' (booty/yield). This gives you the Ausbeute (yield/profit). If you squeeze people 'aus', it's exploitation.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words:

• Die Beute: Often refers to stolen goods or hunting success, but can also be used synonymously with 'gain/yield'.
• Die Ausbeutung: Closely related, but primarily refers to the process of exploiting, whereas Ausbeute can also be the result.

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: "Was halten Sie von einer Gewinnbeteiligung?"
Antwortet der Mitarbeiter: "Super Idee! Wann bekomme ich meine erste Ausbeute?"
Chef: "Sobald Sie einen Gewinn erwirtschaften!"

English Translation: The boss asks the new employee: "What do you think about profit sharing?"
The employee replies: "Great idea! When do I get my first share (Ausbeute)?"
Boss: "As soon as you generate a profit!"

📜 Poem about Ausbeute

German:
Des Bergmanns Müh', des Bauern Schweiß,
bringt Ausbeute auf seine Weis'.
Mal karg, mal reich, so ist das Spiel,
der Erde Frucht, das große Ziel.

Doch Achtung, klingt ein andrer Ton,
wo Macht missbraucht wird ohne Schon'.
Die Ausbeute von Kraft und Zeit,
schreit nach Gerechtigkeit.

English Translation:
The miner's toil, the farmer's sweat,
brings forth a yield, no cause for fret.
Sometimes scarce, sometimes it's grand,
the fruit of earth, across the land.

But heed the different, warning sound,
where power's abused, no mercy found.
The exploitation of time and might,
cries out for justice and for right.

🧩 Little Riddle

German:
Ich kann vom Feld, vom Bergwerk sein,
manchmal Gewinn, manchmal gemein.
Im Geschäft bin ich der Lohn,
im Unrecht bittere Reaktion.

Was bin ich?

Lösung: die Ausbeute

English Translation:
I can come from field or mine,
sometimes a profit, sometimes malign.
In business, I'm the reward you find,
when unjust, a bitter reaction of its kind.

What am I?

Solution: die Ausbeute (yield/profit/exploitation)

➕ Other Information

Word Composition:

The word "Ausbeute" is composed of:

• aus: Prefix indicating movement from inside to outside or a result.
• Beute: Originally meaning that which was captured in a hunt or battle (cf. 'erbeuten' - to capture, loot). Later transferred to the yield of labor or investment.

The combination emphasizes 'getting out' or 'winning' something.

Trivia: In mining, Ausbeute refers to the ratio of recovered valuable ore to the total amount mined.