01
auslesen
to finish reading
To read a book or text completely from beginning to end.
example
Ich habe den Roman an nur einem Wochenende ausgelesen.
I finished reading the novel in just one weekend.
auslesen
to finish reading / read out / select
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable verb
'Auslesen' is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'aus-' goes at the end. The prefix often emphasizes an action that is brought to an end or something that is extracted from a group.
EXAMPLE
Er liest gerade den letzten Band seiner Lieblingsserie aus.
He is just finishing the last volume of his favorite series.
Context clue: texts
In this meaning, the object is always a text. Typical objects are 'ein Buch' (a book), 'einen Roman' (a novel), 'einen Artikel' (an article), or 'eine Zeitschrift' (a magazine).
EXAMPLE
Hast du die Zeitung schon ausgelesen?
Have you finished reading the newspaper yet?
Context clue: technology
When it is about technology, the object is a data storage medium. You read out 'Daten' (data), 'einen Chip' (a chip), 'eine Speicherkarte' (a memory card), or 'den Fehlerspeicher' (the fault memory) of a device.
EXAMPLE
Die Werkstatt muss die Daten aus dem Motorsteuergerät auslesen.
The repair shop has to read out the data from the engine control unit.
Context clue: selection
In the meaning 'auswählen' (to select), the verb refers to sorting physical things by quality. Typical objects are 'Trauben' (grapes), 'Früchte' (fruit), 'Kaffeebohnen' (coffee beans), or also 'Bewerbungen' (applications).
EXAMPLE
Die besten Kaffeebohnen werden für den Export von Hand ausgelesen.
The best coffee beans are selected by hand for export.
Compare with
auslesen vs lesen
to read
'lesen' and 'auslesen' can both have to do with texts or information. 'lesen' is the normal, general word for texts and also for some kinds of information. With texts, 'auslesen' means to read something completely to the end; in everyday language, however, people often say 'zu Ende lesen' (to finish reading) or 'durchlesen' (to read through) more naturally. 'auslesen' is very typical in technology: you read out data from a device, memory, or sensor. The words can be confused because both have to do with information. For normal texts, 'lesen' usually fits; for technical data, 'auslesen' often does.
auslesen
In der Werkstatt liest der Mechaniker die Daten aus dem Auto aus.
At the workshop, the mechanic reads out the data from the car.
lesen
Zur Vorbereitung auf den Umzug liest er einen Artikel über neue Mietverträge.
To prepare for the move, he is reading an article about new rental contracts.
In real life
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