01
die Ausfahrt
exit
A road or route by which you leave a highway, property, or parking lot.
example
Wir müssen die nächste Ausfahrt nehmen, um nach Hause zu kommen.
We have to take the next exit to get home.
die Ausfahrt
exit / drive
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word composition
'Ausfahrt' (exit / drive) is made up of the preposition 'aus' (out of) and the noun 'Fahrt' (journey/drive). Its literal meaning is 'driving out', which explains all the meanings of the word.
EXAMPLE
Die Ausfahrt aus dem Parkhaus war blockiert.
The exit from the parking garage was blocked.
Context clues
You can recognize the meaning from context: in connection with 'Autobahn' (highway), it means an exit. With 'Parkhaus' (parking garage) or 'Grundstück' (property), it means the physical exit. With 'Sonntag' (Sunday) or 'schönes Wetter' (nice weather), it means a short outing.
EXAMPLE
Wir müssen die Ausfahrt „Flughafen“ nehmen.
We have to take the 'Airport' exit.
Typical verbs (highway)
In the context of highways, 'Ausfahrt' (exit) is usually used with the verbs 'nehmen' (to take) or 'verpassen' (to miss).
EXAMPLE
Oh nein, ich glaube, wir haben die richtige Ausfahrt verpasst.
Oh no, I think we missed the right exit.
Typical verbs (property)
When referring to the physical exit of a site, typical verbs are 'freihalten' (to keep clear), 'blockieren' (to block), or 'zuparken' (to block by parking).
EXAMPLE
Ein Lieferwagen blockiert die gesamte Ausfahrt.
A delivery van is blocking the entire exit.
Typical verbs (outing)
When a short outing is meant, the verb 'machen' (to make/do) is almost always used, or less commonly 'unternehmen' (to undertake).
EXAMPLE
Lass uns am Wochenende eine Ausfahrt mit dem Fahrrad machen.
Let's go for a bike ride this weekend.
Compare with
Ausfahrt vs Fahrt
trip / ride
'die Fahrt' and 'die Ausfahrt' can both mean movement by vehicle. 'Fahrt' is the general word for a trip or journey by car, train, bus, or ship. It also works for longer journeys and planned group trips. 'Ausfahrt' has two typical uses: it can mean a place where you leave a highway, a site, or a parking lot. It can also mean a short drive or outing for pleasure, often by car, motorcycle, or bicycle. Learners may confuse the words because 'Fahrt' is part of both. But not every 'Fahrt' is an 'Ausfahrt'. 'Ausfahrt' is especially appropriate when driving out of somewhere or for a short vehicle outing.
Ausfahrt
Am Sonntag machen wir eine Ausfahrt mit dem Fahrrad zum See.
On Sunday, we're going for a bike ride to the lake.
Fahrt
Die Fahrt mit dem Zug nach Hamburg dauert fast zwei Stunden.
The train journey to Hamburg takes almost two hours.
In real life
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