ausfüllen
to fill out
To enter information into the empty fields of a form, document, or questionnaire.
EXAMPLE
Bitte füllen Sie dieses Formular vollständig und in Druckbuchstaben aus.
Please fill out this form completely and in block letters.
ausfüllen
to fill out
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Meanings
ausfüllen
to fill
To take up or occupy a space, area, or period of time completely.
EXAMPLE
Die Vorbereitung auf die Prüfung füllt meine gesamte Freizeit aus.
Preparing for the exam fills all of my free time.
ausfüllen
to fulfill
To carry out a task, role, or position to full satisfaction and experience it as meaningful.
EXAMPLE
Ihre ehrenamtliche Arbeit im Tierheim füllt sie vollkommen aus.
Her volunteer work at the animal shelter fulfills her completely.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Ausfüllen' (to fill out) is a separable verb. The prefix 'aus-' goes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Ich fülle den Antrag später aus.
I'll fill out the application later.
Typical collocations
In this meaning, 'ausfüllen' (to fill out) is almost always combined with documents. Typical objects are: ein Formular (a form), einen Antrag (an application), einen Fragebogen (a questionnaire), or eine Umfrage (a survey).
EXAMPLE
Könnten Sie bitte diesen kurzen Fragebogen für uns ausfüllen?
Could you please fill out this short questionnaire for us?
Sentence structure and usage pattern
When something 'ausfüllt' (fills) time or space, that activity or object is the subject of the sentence. The period of time or the space is the accusative object.
EXAMPLE
Sein neues Hobby füllt seine Wochenenden komplett aus.
His new hobby completely fills his weekends.
Sentence structure with people
In the meaning of 'being fulfilling', the activity is the subject, and the person who finds fulfillment is the accusative object. So the structure is: [something] füllt [someone] aus.
EXAMPLE
Ihr Beruf als Ärztin füllt sie voll und ganz aus.
Her profession as a doctor fulfills her completely.
Compare with
ausfüllen vs erfüllen
to fulfill
Erfüllen refers here to the requirements associated with a task or role. Ausfüllen refers to the role or position itself and describes taking it on comprehensively and satisfactorily.
ausfüllen
Nora füllt ihre neue Rolle als Teamleiterin mit großem Engagement aus.
Nora fulfills her new role as team leader with great dedication.
erfüllen
Nora erfüllt alle Anforderungen an ihre neue Rolle als Teamleiterin.
Nora meets all the requirements for her new role as team leader.
In real life
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