die
Ausschau
🔍 What does "die Ausschau" mean?
Die Ausschau (feminine) describes the act of consciously looking or searching into the distance or for something specific. It implies an expectation or a goal while observing.
It's often used in fixed phrases, especially "Ausschau halten nach jemandem/etwas" (to keep a lookout for someone/something).
🚨 Attention: The word is almost exclusively used in the singular. A plural form ("die Ausschauen") is extremely rare and sounds unusual.
📚 Grammar of "die Ausschau" in Detail
The noun "Ausschau" is feminine. Here is the declension in the singular. The plural is very uncommon.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Ausschau |
| Genitive | der | Ausschau |
| Dative | der | Ausschau |
| Accusative | die | Ausschau |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Ausschauen |
| Genitive | der | Ausschauen |
| Dative | den | Ausschauen |
| Accusative | die | Ausschauen |
Example Sentences
- Wir halten Ausschau nach einem geeigneten Picknickplatz.
(We are keeping a lookout for a suitable picnic spot.) - Vom Turm hat man eine gute Ausschau über die ganze Stadt.
(From the tower, one has a good view/outlook over the whole city. - Here more like "view") - Die Matrosen hielten ständig Ausschau nach Land.
(The sailors constantly kept a lookout for land.)
💡 How to use "die Ausschau"?
"Die Ausschau" is primarily used in the phrase "Ausschau halten nach" + dative object. This means to specifically look for or scan for someone or something.
Examples of typical usage:
- Looking for people: "Ich halte Ausschau nach Herrn Müller." (I'm keeping an eye out for Mr. Müller.)
- Looking for things: "Halte bitte Ausschau nach meinen Schlüsseln!" (Please keep a lookout for my keys!)
- Looking for opportunities: "Wir halten Ausschau nach günstigen Angeboten." (We are looking out for good deals.)
- In a maritime context: "Der Seemann im Ausguck hält Ausschau nach feindlichen Schiffen." (The sailor in the crow's nest keeps a lookout for enemy ships.)
Sometimes, "Ausschau" can be used synonymously with "Ausblick" (view, outlook) or "Perspektive" (perspective), but it's less common in this sense than for searching.
Comparison:
- Suche: General term for the act of searching. "Die Suche nach dem Glück." (The search for happiness.)
- Ausblick: The view from an elevated point. "Der Ausblick vom Berg." (The view from the mountain.)
- Ausschau: The active, directed looking/scanning. "Ausschau halten nach einem Taxi." (To keep a lookout for a taxi.)
🧠 Mnemonics for Ausschau
Article Mnemonic: Imagine Diana (sounds like 'die') is always keeping an Ausschau (lookout) for good photo opportunities. So it's die Ausschau.
Meaning Mnemonic: Think of looking "out" (aus) and "showing" (schau-en) attention. When you look out to show attention, you are keeping Ausschau.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
Antonyms (opposites):
- Die Unachtsamkeit: Inattentiveness.
- Die Gleichgültigkeit: Indifference.
- Das Wegsehen: Looking away, deliberately ignoring.
Similar but potentially misleading words:
😄 A Little Joke
Warum halten Piraten auf See immer Ausschau?
Damit ihnen niemand die "Schatz-Insel" vor der Nase wegschnappt! 🏴☠️
(Why do pirates always keep a lookout at sea?
So that nobody snatches the "Treasure Island" from under their noses!)
📜 Poem about Ausschau
Vom höchsten Turm, bei Tag und Nacht,
wird eifrig Ausschau gehalten, mit Bedacht.
Nach Schiffen fern, nach Freund, nach Land,
mit wachem Auge, fest gespannt.
(From highest tower, by day and night,
a keen lookout is kept, with all their might.
For ships afar, for friend, for shore,
with watchful eye, forevermore.)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin kein Auge, doch ich sehe weit.
Ich bin kein Suchen, doch vertreib' die Zeit,
indem ich spähe, warte und erspähe.
Oft hält man mich auf hoher See.
Was bin ich?
(I am not an eye, but I see far.
I am not a search, but I pass the time,
by peering, waiting, and spotting.
Often, I am kept on the high seas.
What am I?)
(Answer: die Ausschau - the lookout)
🌐 Other Information
Word Composition:
The word "Ausschau" is a nominalization (forming a noun) from the verb stem of "ausschauen" (to look out).
- aus- (prefix, expressing a direction outwards or completion)
- schau (stem of the verb "schauen" - to look, to see)
The combination literally means "the looking out" or "the looking around outwards".
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Ausschau?
The German word Ausschau is feminine. The correct article is die. It is mostly used in the singular, often in the phrase "Ausschau halten nach" (to keep a lookout for).