01
ausfallen
to be canceled
To not take place; to be canceled.
example
Wegen Krankheit des Lehrers fällt der Unterricht heute aus.
Because the teacher is sick, class is canceled today.
ausfallen
to be canceled / to fail
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable verb
'Ausfallen' (to be canceled / to fail) is a separable verb. The prefix 'aus-' goes at the end in main clauses; in subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Der Zug nach Berlin fällt heute aus.
The train to Berlin is canceled today.
Auxiliary verb 'sein'
The perfect tense of 'ausfallen' (to be canceled / to fail) is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be), because it describes a change of state. So the form is 'ist ausgefallen' (has been canceled / has failed).
EXAMPLE
Die Heizung ist mitten im Winter ausgefallen.
The heating failed in the middle of winter.
Context clue
The context reveals the exact meaning. If the subject is an event or an appointment, it means 'not take place'. If the subject is a technical device or system, it means 'no longer function'.
EXAMPLE
Die morgige Vorlesung fällt aus.
Tomorrow's lecture is canceled.
Use with adverb
In the meaning 'to have a result', 'ausfallen' (to turn out) is almost always accompanied by an adverb or adjective that describes the quality of the result.
EXAMPLE
Der Test ist besser ausgefallen als erwartet.
The test turned out better than expected.
Dative construction
When hair or teeth fall out, the affected person is often named with a dative object. The subject of the sentence is the thing that falls out.
EXAMPLE
Dem alten Hund fallen langsam die Zähne aus.
The old dog's teeth are slowly falling out.
Compare with
ausfallen vs verlieren
to lose
'verlieren' and 'ausfallen' can both refer to hair or teeth no longer being there. 'ausfallen' describes the process: a hair or tooth comes loose from the body and falls out. 'verlieren' describes more the result or the general loss: someone has less hair or no longer has a tooth. The words can therefore easily be confused. With hair, people often use both, but 'ausfallen' is more precise for the natural or physical process.
ausfallen
Bei meinem kleinen Bruder ist gestern der erste Zahn ausgefallen.
My little brother's first tooth fell out yesterday.
verlieren
Nach der Krankheit hat sie viele Haare verloren.
After the illness, she lost a lot of hair.
In real life
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