discontinued / leaking / departing
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discontinued
Describes something that will soon no longer be available or valid, such as a product, model, or contract.
Dieses Smartphone-Modell ist auslaufend und wird nicht mehr produziert.
This smartphone model is being discontinued and is no longer being produced.
leaking
Describes a liquid that is unintentionally flowing out of a container.
Wegen der auslaufenden Milch war der ganze Kühlschrank klebrig.
Because of the leaking milk, the whole refrigerator was sticky.
departing
Describes a ship that is in the process of leaving a harbor.
Wir winkten dem auslaufenden Kreuzfahrtschiff zum Abschied.
We waved goodbye to the departing cruise ship.
'Auslaufend' is the present participle of the separable verb 'auslaufen' (to run out/leak/leave port). All meanings of the adjective derive from the meanings of the verb: a product 'läuft aus' (is being discontinued), liquid 'läuft aus' (leaks), or a ship 'läuft aus' dem Hafen aus (leaves the harbor).
Achtung, dein Stift läuft aus!
Careful, your pen is leaking!
The context makes the meaning clear. With products, contracts, or models, it is about the end of availability. With liquids and containers, a leak is meant. With ships and harbors, it is about departure.
Der auslaufende Joghurt hat eine Sauerei im Kühlschrank verursacht.
The leaking yogurt made a mess in the refrigerator.
In the meaning 'soon no longer available', the adjective is often combined with words from commerce and business. Typical phrases are 'ein auslaufendes Modell' (a discontinued model), 'ein auslaufender Vertrag' (an expiring contract), or 'eine auslaufende Produktlinie' (a discontinued product line).
Die Produktion dieser Automarke ist auslaufend.
Production of this car brand is being discontinued.
When it is about liquids, 'auslaufend' (leaking) describes the process of unwanted escaping. Common nouns are 'auslaufende Milch' (leaking milk), 'auslaufendes Öl' (leaking oil), or also 'eine auslaufende Batterie' (a leaking battery), when battery acid is escaping.
Der Mechaniker bemerkte das auslaufende Öl unter dem Auto.
The mechanic noticed the leaking oil under the car.
