initial situation
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initial situation
The initial situation or the conditions at the beginning of a process, development, or negotiation.
Die Ausgangslage für das Unternehmen war nach der Krise sehr schwierig.
The initial situation for the company was very difficult after the crisis.
The word is made up of 'der Ausgang' (the starting point/outcome) and 'die Lage' (the situation). Here, 'Ausgang' means 'starting point' or 'beginning'. So 'Ausgangslage' (initial situation) is the 'Anfangssituation' (starting situation).
Unsere Ausgangslage für das Projekt ist sehr gut.
Our initial situation for the project is very good.
'Ausgangslage' (initial situation) is often combined with adjectives such as 'gut' (good), 'schlecht' (bad), 'schwierig' (difficult), or 'günstig' (favorable). Typical verbs are 'analysieren' (to analyze), 'verbessern' (to improve), or 'beschreiben' (to describe).
Die Mannschaft hatte vor dem Finale eine schwierige Ausgangslage.
The team had a difficult initial situation before the final.
This word is often used to describe the conditions before an event begins. You frequently find it in the fields of sports, business, politics, or strategic planning.
Vor den Verhandlungen analysierten beide Seiten ihre Ausgangslage.
Before the negotiations, both sides analyzed their initial situation.
situation / location
'die Lage' and 'die Ausgangslage' both describe a situation with its conditions. 'die Lage' can mean the situation at any point in time: now, earlier, or later. 'die Ausgangslage' refers especially to the situation at the beginning of a plan, a development, or a conversation. The words are easy to confuse because both talk about circumstances. If you mean the current situation, use 'Lage'. If you want to explain what something begins with, 'Ausgangslage' is more precise.
Vor dem Umzug prüfen wir zuerst die Ausgangslage: Wie viel Platz haben wir und wie hoch ist die Miete?
Before the move, we first check the initial situation: How much space do we have, and how high is the rent?
Am Abend ist die Lage in der Schule wieder ruhig.
By the evening, the situation at the school is calm again.