auslegen
to interpret
To interpret or understand something; to give something a particular meaning.
EXAMPLE
Man kann sein Schweigen als Zustimmung auslegen.
One can interpret his silence as agreement.
auslegen
to interpret / lay out / advance
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Meanings
auslegen
to lay out
To put something out or spread it out for others to view, use, or take with them.
EXAMPLE
Der Supermarkt hat kostenlose Warenproben ausgelegt.
The supermarket laid out free product samples.
auslegen
to advance money
To temporarily pay money for another person, which you later get back.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du das Geld für die Kinokarten auslegen? Ich gebe es dir morgen zurück.
Can you advance the money for the movie tickets? I'll give it back to you tomorrow.
auslegen
to cover
To cover a surface with a material, for example a floor with carpet.
EXAMPLE
Die ganze Wohnung ist mit Parkett ausgelegt.
The whole apartment is covered with parquet flooring.
auslegen
to be designed
To be technically designed and dimensioned for a specific purpose or a specific performance level.
EXAMPLE
Der Motor ist auf eine hohe Lebensdauer ausgelegt.
The engine is designed for a long service life.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Auslegen' (to interpret/to lay out/to advance money) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'aus' goes at the end. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Er legt die Dokumente für alle sichtbar aus.
He lays out the documents where everyone can see them.
Meaning of the prefix
The prefix 'aus-' often has the meaning 'outward' or 'to distribute'. This idea appears in many meanings: you put something out for viewing (spread it out), you put money out for others (advance it), or you put an interpretation outward (explain it).
EXAMPLE
Der Händler hat frisches Obst vor seinem Laden ausgelegt.
The vendor laid out fresh fruit in front of his shop.
Sentence structure: as something
If you want to say how something is interpreted, use the structure 'etwas als etwas auslegen' (to interpret something as something). The thing being interpreted is in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Sein Lächeln wurde als Ironie ausgelegt.
His smile was interpreted as irony.
Sentence structure: for someone
When you pay money for another person, use the structure 'etwas für jemanden auslegen' (to advance something for someone). The person is in the accusative after the preposition 'für'.
EXAMPLE
Keine Sorge, ich kann die Rechnung für dich auslegen.
Don't worry, I can advance the money for the bill for you.
Sentence structure: with something
When a surface is covered with a material, the preposition 'mit' (with) is used. The structure is: 'etwas mit etwas auslegen' (to cover something with something).
EXAMPLE
Wir haben das Kinderzimmer mit einem weichen Teppich ausgelegt.
We covered the children's room with a soft carpet.
Sentence structure: be designed for something
In a technical context, the passive form 'auf etwas ausgelegt sein' (to be designed for something) is often used. The preposition 'auf' + accusative describes the purpose or property for which something was constructed.
EXAMPLE
Diese Maschine ist auf einen Dauerbetrieb von 24 Stunden ausgelegt.
This machine is designed for continuous 24-hour operation.
Compare with
auslegen vs bezahlen
to pay
Bezahlen generally means giving money for goods, services, or a debt. Auslegen is used when you initially pay for another person and expect to get the money back later. For a normal payment of your own, use „bezahlen“; for a temporary payment on someone else’s behalf, use „auslegen“.
auslegen
Ich kann die Rechnung für dich auslegen, wenn du mir das Geld morgen zurückgibst.
I can pay the bill for you if you give me the money back tomorrow.
bezahlen
Ich muss die Rechnung heute selbst bezahlen.
I have to pay the bill myself today.
In real life
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