to borrow / lend
Loading your saved state.
to borrow something
To take something from someone or an institution, such as a library, for a limited time with the intention of returning it later.
Ich habe mir für den Urlaub drei Bücher aus der Bibliothek ausgeliehen.
I borrowed three books from the library for the vacation.
to lend someone something
To make something available to someone for a limited time, with the expectation of getting it back.
Kannst du mir bis morgen dein Fahrrad ausleihen?
Can you lend me your bike until tomorrow?
'Ausleihen' (to borrow/lend) is a separable verb. The prefix 'aus-' is placed at the end of the sentence in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and infinitive constructions, the verb stays together.
Ich leihe mir oft Bücher aus.
I often borrow books.
The verb 'ausleihen' (to borrow/lend) can mean both: taking something or giving something. The sentence structure decides: 'sich etwas ausleihen' means that you borrow something yourself. 'Jemandem etwas ausleihen' means that you lend something to another person.
Ich leihe mir ein Buch aus der Bibliothek aus.
I borrow a book from the library.
Pay attention to the dative object to understand the direction of the action. The person receiving the item is always in the dative. This can be a reflexive pronoun ('sich') or another person ('meinem Freund').
Er leiht sich ein Werkzeug aus.
He borrows a tool.
'Ausleihen' (to borrow/lend) is often used for everyday objects or media. Typical objects are: 'ein Buch' (a book), 'einen Film' (a film), 'ein Auto' (a car), 'Geld' (money), or 'Werkzeug' (tools).
Für die Party habe ich mir Geld von meinem Bruder ausgeliehen.
I borrowed money from my brother for the party.
to lend / award / give
When something is temporarily made available, verleihen expresses the provider’s perspective. In its reflexive form, sich etwas ausleihen usually expresses the borrower’s perspective, but with a dative object it can also express the provider’s perspective. The construction therefore determines the direction.
Nina leiht sich den Roman für vier Wochen aus der Bibliothek aus.
Nina borrows the novel from the library for four weeks.
Die Bibliothek verleiht den Roman für vier Wochen an Nina.
The library lends Nina the novel for four weeks.
