to hide / block out / fade out
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to hide
To make something, often digital or technical, invisible or remove it from view. This can refer to visual elements on a screen or in software.
Du kannst die Werbung in der Seitenleiste mit einem Klick ausblenden.
You can hide the ad in the sidebar with one click.
to block out
To consciously ignore something or not let it affect you mentally. You try not to be influenced by disturbing thoughts, feelings, or perceptions.
Beim Marathon versuchte er, die Schmerzen in seinen Beinen komplett auszublenden.
During the marathon, he tried to completely block out the pain in his legs.
to fade out
In film or audio technology, to make an image or sound gradually become quieter or darker until it disappears completely. The opposite of 'einblenden' (to fade in).
Der Regisseur ließ die letzte Szene langsam ins Schwarze ausblenden.
The director had the final scene slowly fade out to black.
'Ausblenden' (to hide / block out / fade out) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'aus' comes at the end. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Ich blende die Benachrichtigungen auf meinem Handy aus.
I hide the notifications on my phone.
You can recognize the meaning from the object: digital elements like 'Werbung' (advertising) or 'ein Menü' (a menu) are technically made invisible. Abstract things like 'Gedanken' (thoughts) or 'Probleme' (problems) are mentally ignored. Media content like 'Musik' (music) or 'eine Szene' (a scene) gradually becomes quieter or darker.
Kannst du bitte dieses störende Pop-up-Fenster ausblenden?
Can you please hide this annoying pop-up window?
In the meaning of 'ignorieren' (to ignore), 'ausblenden' (to block out) is often combined with abstract and usually negative things. Common objects are 'Probleme' (problems), 'Sorgen' (worries), 'Stress' (stress), 'die Realität' (reality), or 'schlechte Erinnerungen' (bad memories).
Man kann die Probleme nicht ewig ausblenden; irgendwann muss man sich ihnen stellen.
You can't block out the problems forever; sooner or later you have to face them.
The meaning 'langsam verschwinden lassen' (to make something gradually disappear) is technical language from media production. It is used in the areas of film, television, radio, and music.
Der Tontechniker muss das Lied am Ende sauber ausblenden.
The sound engineer has to fade out the song cleanly at the end.
to ignore
Ignorieren and ausblenden can both mean not paying attention to a disturbing fact. Ignorieren focuses more on not taking it into account despite noticing it, while ausblenden emphasizes consciously keeping it out of your thoughts. Use ausblenden when the mental blocking is the main focus.
Sie blendete die störenden Geräusche aus und konzentrierte sich ganz auf ihre Arbeit.
She blocked out the disturbing noises and focused entirely on her work.
Sie ignorierte die störenden Geräusche und arbeitete trotzdem weiter.
She ignored the disturbing noises and continued working anyway.
