01
ausnehmen
to gut
To remove the internal organs of an animal, especially a fish or poultry, before preparing it.
example
Der Koch zeigte uns, wie man eine Forelle fachgerecht ausnimmt.
The cook showed us how to gut a trout properly.
ausnehmen
to gut / exclude / rip off
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable verb
'Ausnehmen' (to gut / exclude / rip off) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'aus-' comes at the end. In subordinate clauses or in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Der Fischer nimmt den Fisch sofort aus.
The fisherman guts the fish immediately.
Word structure
The verb consists of 'aus' and 'nehmen'. The logic of 'taking something out' helps with understanding all meanings: taking the organs out of an animal, taking a person out of a group, or taking the money out of someone's pocket.
EXAMPLE
Wer nimmt das Huhn für das Abendessen aus?
Who is gutting the chicken for dinner?
Context clue
The meaning becomes clear from the context. If it is about cooking, such as fish or poultry, it means removing organs. If it is about rules or groups, it means making an exception. If it is about money and fraud, the colloquial meaning is intended.
EXAMPLE
Zuerst muss man den Karpfen ausnehmen und waschen.
First you have to gut and wash the carp.
Sentence structure and usage pattern
When an exception is made, the thing or person that is excluded from the rule is in the accusative. A prepositional phrase with 'von' often follows to name the group or rule.
EXAMPLE
Kinder unter sechs Jahren sind von der Maskenpflicht ausgenommen.
Children under six are exempt from the mask requirement.
Register and style
In the meaning 'to take someone's money through fraud', 'ausnehmen' (to rip off) is very colloquial. It is used in informal conversation, but not in formal texts.
EXAMPLE
Lass dich von den Verkäufern am Strand nicht ausnehmen!
Don't let the sellers on the beach rip you off!
Compare with
ausnehmen vs wirken
to seem / take effect
'wirken' and 'sich ausnehmen' can both describe what impression someone or something makes. 'wirken' is the normal, modern word for this: a person seems tired, a room seems friendly. 'sich ausnehmen' means something similar here, but sounds very formal, old-fashioned, or literary. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with appearance and impression. In everyday language, 'wirken' is almost always more natural. You are more likely to come across 'sich ausnehmen' in written texts.
ausnehmen
Das alte Haus nimmt sich zwischen den modernen Gebäuden sehr schön aus.
The old house looks very beautiful among the modern buildings.
wirken
Nach dem langen Gespräch wirkte der Kunde deutlich entspannter.
After the long conversation, the customer seemed noticeably more relaxed.
In real life
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