failure / outage
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failure / outage
The sudden stopping of something's function, for example a power outage, system failure, or the absence of a person due to illness.
Der plötzliche Ausfall des Hauptdarstellers zwang das Theater, die Vorstellung abzusagen.
The sudden absence of the lead actor forced the theater to cancel the performance.
loss
A loss or reduction, for example in revenue, harvests, or production.
Durch den Streik musste das Unternehmen einen erheblichen Produktionsausfall hinnehmen.
Because of the strike, the company had to accept a considerable production loss.
sortie
(Military) A sudden attack by troops from a besieged fortress or position.
Die Belagerten wagten einen letzten verzweifelten Ausfall.
The besieged troops dared one last desperate sortie.
lunge
(Sports, especially fencing) A quick step forward with the front leg in order to attack the opponent.
Mit einem schnellen Ausfall überraschte sie ihre Gegnerin und landete einen Treffer.
With a quick lunge, she surprised her opponent and scored a hit.
'Der Ausfall' (failure/outage) is the noun corresponding to the verb 'ausfallen' (to fail, be canceled, be absent). The verb literally means that something 'falls out' of a system or plan and is therefore no longer functioning or available.
Wegen Krankheit ist heute ein Lehrer ausgefallen.
Because of illness, a teacher is absent today.
You can recognize the meaning of 'Ausfall' (failure/outage) from the context: technology and personnel (system failure), economics (production loss), military (attack), or sports (fencing). The first two meanings are the most common in everyday life.
Der Stromausfall dauerte nur wenige Minuten.
The power outage lasted only a few minutes.
In the meaning of 'Funktionsstörung' (malfunction), 'Ausfall' (failure/outage) is very often used as the second part of compound nouns. Common examples are 'Stromausfall' (power outage), 'Systemausfall' (system failure), 'Netzausfall' (network outage), or 'Personalausfall' (staff shortage/absence).
Wegen eines Netzausfalls konnte ich nicht im Internet surfen.
Because of a network outage, I couldn't surf the internet.
When referring to a financial or production-related loss, 'Ausfall' (loss) is often combined with verbs like 'erleiden' (to suffer), 'verzeichnen' (to record), or 'hinnehmen müssen' (to have to accept).
Die Fluggesellschaft erlitt durch den Vulkanausbruch massive Einnahmeausfälle.
The airline suffered massive revenue losses because of the volcanic eruption.
This meaning of 'Ausfall' as an attack from a besieged position is limited to military or historical jargon. It does not occur in normal everyday usage.
Der Historiker beschrieb den letzten Ausfall der Verteidiger.
The historian described the defenders' final sortie.
loss
Verlust and Ausfall can both refer to missing income or revenue. Verlust tends to emphasize that a financial amount was actually lost, while Ausfall usually refers to an expected amount that failed to come in. Use Ausfall for income that was not received and Verlust for the resulting outcome.
Wegen des Unwetters hatte der Betrieb einen großen Ausfall bei den erwarteten Einnahmen.
Because of the severe weather, the business suffered a major shortfall in its expected revenue.
Nach den hohen Reparaturkosten erlitt der Betrieb in diesem Jahr einen Verlust.
After the high repair costs, the business suffered a loss this year.
