to pay out / to pay off
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to pay out
To pay someone a full amount of money that is owed or has been saved up. This often refers to salaries, winnings, or insurance benefits.
Nächste Woche wird mir mein restlicher Urlaub ausbezahlt.
Next week, my remaining vacation will be paid out to me.
'Ausbezahlen' (to pay out) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'aus' comes at the end. In subordinate clauses or in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Die Firma bezahlt die Überstunden am Monatsende aus.
The company pays out overtime at the end of the month.
When the verb has to do with money, salaries, or insurance, the literal meaning is meant. When it is used reflexively ('sich ausbezahlen'), it has the figurative meaning 'sich lohnen' (to be worthwhile).
Die Bank hat ihm den Lottogewinn ausbezahlt.
The bank paid out his lottery winnings to him.
In the financial meaning, you can either pay out a person (accusative) or pay out something (accusative) to a person (dative).
Er hat seinen Geschäftspartner ausbezahlt und führt die Firma nun allein.
He paid out his business partner and now runs the company alone.
The figurative meaning 'sich lohnen' (to be worthwhile) is always formed with the reflexive pronoun 'sich'. The subject of the sentence is the effort or investment that proves advantageous.
Das jahrelange Lernen hat sich mit dem guten Abschluss ausbezahlt.
The years of studying paid off with the good degree.
to pay
'bezahlen' and 'ausbezahlen' look similar and both often have to do with money. You use 'bezahlen' when you give money for something, for example for a bill or a purchase. 'ausbezahlen', on the other hand, means that someone pays out a specific amount of money to a person, often in full. This can be winnings, a salary, or an insurance benefit. The words can be confused especially because of their form. Also important: 'sich auszahlen' means 'to pay off' or 'to be worthwhile' and is another use again. In everyday life, you pay a bill, but a company or insurance provider pays money out to someone.
Im Sommer hat die Versicherung ihr den Schaden vollständig ausbezahlt.
In the summer, the insurance company paid her the full amount for the damage.
Du bezahlst die Kursgebühr direkt beim Termin.
You pay the course fee directly at the appointment.