01
das Ausland
abroad
The totality of all countries outside one's own country or outside the country where one is currently located.
example
Für ihren neuen Job muss sie oft ins Ausland reisen.
For her new job, she often has to travel abroad.
das Ausland
abroad
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
Usage tips
Word composition
The word 'Ausland' (abroad/foreign countries) is simple in structure: it consists of the preposition 'aus' (out of/from) and the noun 'Land' (country). So it literally describes everything that lies outside one's own country.
EXAMPLE
Viele Produkte in diesem Supermarkt kommen aus dem Ausland.
Many products in this supermarket come from abroad.
Prepositions and case
Pay attention to the case with the preposition 'in': Movement to another country is expressed with the accusative ('ins Ausland' (abroad/to a foreign country)). Staying there is described with the dative ('im Ausland' (abroad/in a foreign country)).
EXAMPLE
Nächstes Jahr möchte ich für ein Semester ins Ausland gehen.
Next year I would like to go abroad for a semester.
Typical collocations
Common verbs with 'Ausland' (abroad) are 'ins Ausland reisen/ziehen/gehen' (to travel/move/go abroad) for movement and 'im Ausland leben/arbeiten/studieren' (to live/work/study abroad) for staying there.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Studium ist sie direkt ins Ausland gezogen.
After graduating, she moved abroad right away.
Common compounds
The word 'Ausland' (abroad/foreign countries) is often used as the first part of compound nouns. Examples are 'die Auslandserfahrung' (experience abroad), 'das Auslandssemester' (semester abroad), or 'der Auslandsaufenthalt' (stay abroad).
EXAMPLE
Ein Auslandssemester ist eine wertvolle Erfahrung für Studenten.
A semester abroad is a valuable experience for students.
Compare with
Ausland vs Heimat
homeland / home
'das Ausland' and 'die Heimat' can be contrasted in conversations about countries, travel, and living in a place. 'Ausland' means countries outside one's own country or outside the country one is currently in. 'Heimat' means the place or region with which someone has a strong personal connection. The words can be confused because both often have to do with leaving, coming back, or living in another country. The important point is: 'Heimat' is not simply the opposite of 'Ausland' in a political sense, but often carries a feeling of belonging.
Ausland
Nach dem Studium möchte sie ein Jahr im Ausland arbeiten.
After her studies, she wants to work abroad for a year.
Heimat
Für Mehmet bleibt seine Heimat der kleine Ort, in dem er aufgewachsen ist.
For Mehmet, his home remains the small place where he grew up.
In real life
Loading video examples...