die  Ausfuhr

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaʊsˌfuːɐ̯/

🚢 What does "die Ausfuhr" mean?

Die Ausfuhr (noun, feminine) refers to the process or act of selling or moving goods, services, or capital across the national border to a foreign country. It's the opposite of die Einfuhr (import).

Essentially, it means the export of goods or services out of an economic area.

• Meaning 1: The act of exporting (e.g., Die Ausfuhr von Autos ist gestiegen. - The export of cars has increased.)
• Meaning 2: The exported goods themselves (often plural: Die Ausfuhren des Landes bestehen hauptsächlich aus Maschinen. - The country's exports mainly consist of machinery.)

🚨 Note: The word is always feminine, so it's always "die Ausfuhr".

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Ausfuhr

"Ausfuhr" is a feminine noun. Here are the declension tables:

📝 Example Sentences

1. Die Regierung fördert die Ausfuhr heimischer Produkte. (The government promotes the export of domestic products.)
2. Der Wert der Ausfuhr sank im letzten Quartal leicht. (The value of the export decreased slightly last quarter.)
3. Mit der Ausfuhr dieser Technologie erhoffen wir uns neue Märkte. (With the export of this technology, we hope for new markets.)
4. Wir müssen die Ausfuhr besser kontrollieren. (We need to control the export better.)
5. Die Ausfuhren nach Asien nahmen stark zu. (Exports to Asia increased significantly.)

🌐 How to use "Ausfuhr"?

"Die Ausfuhr" is primarily used in economic, political, and logistical contexts.

• Economy/Trade: Reports on trade balances, export statistics, international business relations (e.g., Die deutsche Ausfuhr erreichte einen neuen Rekordwert. - German exports reached a new record value.).
• Politics: Discussions about trade policy, tariffs, export restrictions or promotions (e.g., Die Politik diskutiert Erleichterungen bei der Ausfuhr. - Politics is discussing easing of exports.).
• Logistics/Customs: Handling of goods shipment abroad, customs declarations (e.g., Für die Ausfuhr benötigen Sie eine Ausfuhrgenehmigung. - You need an export permit for the export.).

Distinction:

• Ausfuhr vs. Export: "Ausfuhr" is the more formal, official, or comprehensive term. "Export" is often used synonymously but sounds a bit more modern or international.
• Ausfuhr vs. Lieferung (delivery): A Lieferung can also occur domestically. "Ausfuhr" specifically refers to cross-border sale/transport abroad.
• Ausfuhr vs. Vertrieb (distribution/sales): Vertrieb covers all measures for distributing goods, including domestically. Ausfuhr is one aspect of international distribution.

💡 Mnemonics for "die Ausfuhr"

For the article (die): Remember that many words related to transport and goods are feminine in German (die Ware - the goods, die Fracht - the freight, die Lieferung - the delivery). The goods leaving the country are die Ausfuhr.

For the meaning (export): Imagine goods driving (Fuhr is related to fahren - to drive/travel) *out* (Aus-) of the country. Aus + Fuhr = driving/transporting out = export.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words (Potential Confusion):

• Abfuhr: Means rejection, defeat, or removal (e.g., Müllabfuhr - garbage collection). Nothing to do with export.
• Ausfahrt: Means exit (e.g., highway exit) or a short trip/drive.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Zollbeamte den Exporteur: "Haben Sie etwas zu verzollen bei der Ausfuhr?"
Antwortet der Exporteur: "Nein, nur gute Laune und leere Kisten!"

Translation:

The customs officer asks the exporter: "Do you have anything to declare upon export?"
The exporter replies: "No, just a good mood and empty boxes!"

📜 Poem about Ausfuhr

Die Ware packt die Koffer schnell,
Verlässt das Land, fährt auf der Stell'.
Maschinen, Autos, groß und klein,
Die Ausfuhr bringt den Rubel rein.
Von hier nach dort, weit über's Meer,
Das nennt man Export, bitte sehr!

Translation:

The goods pack their bags quickly,
Leave the country, drive right away.
Machines, cars, big and small,
The export brings the money in.
From here to there, far across the sea,
That's called export, if you please!

🧩 Riddle

Ich schicke Dinge weit von hier,
Verkaufe sie, das glaube mir.
Ins Ausland geht die Reise fort,
Ich bin das Gegenteil von Import.

Was bin ich? (Lösung: die Ausfuhr)

Translation:

I send things far from here,
I sell them, believe me dear.
Abroad the journey goes forth,
I am the opposite of import.

What am I? (Answer: die Ausfuhr / export)

✨ More Information

Word Composition:

The word "Ausfuhr" is composed of:

• aus-: Prefix indicating movement from inside to outside or leaving.
• -fuhr: Derived from the verb "fahren" (to drive, travel) or the noun "Fuhre" (transport, load, cartload).

So, it literally describes "driving out" or "transporting out".

Related Terms:

• Ausfuhrgenehmigung: Export permit.
• Ausfuhrzoll: Export duty/tariff (less common than import duties).
• Ausfuhrerklärung: Export declaration (customs document).
• Ausfuhrland: Country of export.