01
ausmachen
to turn off
To turn off a device, a source of light, or a fire so that it no longer works or burns.
example
Bitte mach das Licht aus, wenn du den Raum verlässt.
Please turn off the light when you leave the room.
ausmachen
to turn off / make up / arrange
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable verb
'Ausmachen' is a separable verb. The prefix 'aus' goes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses or in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Er macht den Fernseher immer sofort aus.
He always turns off the TV immediately.
Typical objects
In the meaning 'ausschalten' (to turn off), 'ausmachen' is typically used with devices, sources of light, or fire. Common objects are: 'das Licht' (the light), 'das Radio' (the radio), 'der Computer' (the computer), 'die Heizung' (the heating), 'eine Kerze' (a candle).
EXAMPLE
Hast du die Kaffeemaschine ausgemacht, bevor wir gegangen sind?
Did you turn off the coffee machine before we left?
Sentence structure: part and whole
In the meaning 'einen Teil bilden' (to form a part), the verb often follows the pattern '[part] macht [whole/amount] aus'. The part is the subject, and the whole or amount is the accusative object.
EXAMPLE
Die Personalkosten machen den größten Teil der Ausgaben aus.
Personnel costs make up the largest part of the expenses.
Dative construction
When something is bothersome, you use the structure 'etwas macht [person in the dative] etwas aus'. The question 'Macht es Ihnen/dir etwas aus, wenn ...?' (Would it bother you if ...? / Would you mind if ...?) is especially common.
EXAMPLE
Der Lärm von der Baustelle macht mir gar nichts aus.
The noise from the construction site doesn't bother me at all.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'vereinbaren' (to arrange/agree on), 'ausmachen' is often combined with things that you plan. Typical examples are: 'einen Termin ausmachen' (to arrange an appointment), 'einen Treffpunkt ausmachen' (to agree on a meeting point), 'einen Preis ausmachen' (to agree on a price).
EXAMPLE
Können wir für nächste Woche einen neuen Termin ausmachen?
Can we arrange a new appointment for next week?
Context: difficult visibility
In the meaning 'erkennen' (to recognize/make out), 'ausmachen' is often used when perception is difficult, for example because of darkness, fog, or great distance.
EXAMPLE
In der Ferne konnte man ein kleines Licht ausmachen.
In the distance, you could make out a small light.
Fixed expression
The expression 'etwas unter sich ausmachen' means that a group settles something without outside interference. The reflexive pronoun 'sich' is adjusted to match the people involved.
EXAMPLE
Das ist euer Streit, das müsst ihr unter euch ausmachen.
That's your dispute; you have to settle it among yourselves.
Compare with
ausmachen vs erkennen
to recognize / realize
'erkennen' and 'ausmachen' can both mean that you see and identify someone or something. 'erkennen' is more general and very common: you recognize a person, an object, or a sign. 'ausmachen' fits especially when something is hard to see, for example in the distance, in the dark, or in bad weather. The words can be confused because both are possible when visibility is unclear. However, 'ausmachen' puts more emphasis on the effort involved in seeing; 'erkennen' puts more emphasis on identifying.
ausmachen
Am Horizont kann man schon die Lichter der Stadt ausmachen.
You can already make out the city lights on the horizon.
erkennen
Auf dem Bildschirm erkenne ich das Nummernschild nur kurz.
On the screen, I can only briefly make out the license plate.
In real life
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