ausbilden
to train
To teach someone the necessary knowledge and skills for a profession or a specific activity.
EXAMPLE
Die Firma bildet jedes Jahr mehrere Mechatroniker aus.
The company trains several mechatronics technicians every year.
ausbilden
to train / develop
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Meanings
ausbilden
to develop
To develop or produce an ability, characteristic, or physical feature.
EXAMPLE
Im Laufe der Evolution haben Vögel Flügel ausgebildet.
Over the course of evolution, birds developed wings.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Ausbilden' (to train / develop) is a separable verb. The prefix 'aus-' goes at the end in a main clause, stays connected to the verb in a subordinate clause, and in the infinitive with 'zu', 'zu' goes in the middle.
EXAMPLE
Dieses Unternehmen bildet seit Jahren erfolgreich Fachkräfte aus.
This company has been successfully training skilled workers for years.
Word family
The verb 'ausbilden' (to train / develop) is closely connected with the noun 'die Ausbildung' (vocational training, training) and the person 'der/die Auszubildende' (trainee/apprentice; short: der Azubi). All three terms are central in German professional life.
EXAMPLE
Nach der Schule beginnt sie eine Ausbildung zur Bankkauffrau.
After school, she begins vocational training to become a bank clerk.
Sentence structure and use
When qualifying a person for a profession, you use the structure 'jemanden (Akkusativ) zu etwas (Dativ) ausbilden' (to train someone as/into something). The goal of the training is in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Die Universität bildet Studenten zu qualifizierten Ingenieuren aus.
The university trains students to become qualified engineers.
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning from the object: if the object is a person, it is about professional training. If the object is an ability or a feature, it means 'to develop' or 'to form'.
EXAMPLE
Der Sportler hat über die Jahre eine enorme Kraft ausgebildet.
Over the years, the athlete developed enormous strength.
Compare with
ausbilden vs entwickeln
to develop
Sich entwickeln generally describes an ability or characteristic growing or changing over time. Sich ausbilden places more emphasis on a recognizable and clearly developed ability or characteristic emerging.
ausbilden
Durch regelmäßiges Üben bildete sie eine ausgeprägte Fähigkeit zum genauen Zuhören aus.
Through regular practice, she developed a pronounced ability to listen carefully.
entwickeln
Durch regelmäßiges Üben entwickelte sich ihre Fähigkeit zum genauen Zuhören langsam weiter.
Through regular practice, her ability to listen carefully gradually developed further.
In real life
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