ausgestorben
extinct
A species of animal or plant no longer exists because all its representatives have died out.
EXAMPLE
Der Dodo ist seit mehreren Jahrhunderten ausgestorben.
The dodo has been extinct for several centuries.
ausgestorben
extinct / deserted
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Meanings
ausgestorben
extinct
Something such as a language, custom, or family no longer exists because it has no remaining representatives or followers.
EXAMPLE
Diese alte Tradition ist inzwischen ausgestorben.
This old tradition has since died out.
ausgestorben
deserted
A place or area seems empty and abandoned because few or no people are present there.
EXAMPLE
Am Sonntagmorgen ist die Innenstadt fast ausgestorben.
The city center is almost deserted on Sunday morning.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry ausgestorben, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | ausgestorben |
|---|
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to ausgestorben.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to ausgestorben.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to ausgestorben.
Usage tips
Participle as an adjective
'Ausgestorben' (extinct / deserted) is the participle of the verb 'aussterben' (to die out) and is also used as an adjective. It describes a state that has been reached or, in the case of places, the impression of such a state.
EXAMPLE
Im Museum gibt es eine Ausstellung über ausgestorbene Tiere.
There is an exhibition about extinct animals at the museum.
Typical construction
In reports about animal and plant species, 'als ausgestorben gelten' (to be considered extinct) is frequently used. This construction conveys the assessment of experts.
EXAMPLE
Diese Vogelart galt lange als ausgestorben, bis Forschende einige Tiere auf einer Insel entdeckten.
This bird species was long considered extinct until researchers discovered several animals on an island.
Typical collocations
In historical and linguistics texts, you often encounter phrases such as 'eine ausgestorbene Sprache' (an extinct language) or 'ein ausgestorbenes Adelsgeschlecht' (an extinct noble family). Pay attention to the noun it modifies: here, it does not refer to an animal or plant species.
EXAMPLE
Die Forscherin untersucht die Schriftzeichen einer ausgestorbenen Sprache.
The researcher is studying the characters of an extinct language.
With 'wie'
For places, the phrase 'wie ausgestorben' (deserted / as if deserted) is especially typical, often used with 'wirken' (to seem) or 'sein' (to be). The word 'wie' shows that an impression is being described; the place may only be temporarily empty.
EXAMPLE
Während des Fußballfinales wirkten die Straßen wie ausgestorben.
During the soccer final, the streets seemed deserted.
In real life
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