to exploit / make the most of
Loading your saved state.
to exploit
To use someone or a situation in an unfair or selfish way for one's own advantage; to instrumentalize someone or take advantage of them.
Er hat ihre Gutmütigkeit schamlos ausgenutzt, um sich Geld zu leihen.
He shamelessly exploited her good nature in order to borrow money.
to make the most of
To use an opportunity, time, or resource fully and effectively; to use something optimally. This meaning is neutral or positive.
Wir sollten das gute Wetter ausnutzen und an den See fahren.
We should make the most of the good weather and go to the lake.
'Ausnutzen' (to exploit / make the most of) is a separable verb. The prefix 'aus-' comes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Er nutzt seine Machtposition aus.
He exploits his position of power.
The meaning depends strongly on the object. If the object is a person or one of their qualities (e.g., trust, good nature), the meaning is negative (exploit). If the object is a resource or opportunity (e.g., time, weather, chance), the meaning is neutral or positive (make the most of).
Sie hat seine Hilfsbereitschaft ausgenutzt.
She exploited his willingness to help.
For the negative meaning, the verb is often combined with people or their qualities: 'jemanden ausnutzen' (to exploit someone), 'die Gutmütigkeit ausnutzen' (to exploit someone's good nature), 'das Vertrauen ausnutzen' (to exploit someone's trust), or 'eine Notlage ausnutzen' (to exploit an emergency situation).
Lass dich von ihm nicht ausnutzen!
Don't let him exploit you!
For the neutral or positive meaning, the verb is often combined with time, resources, or opportunities: 'die Zeit ausnutzen' (to make the most of the time), 'das gute Wetter ausnutzen' (to make the most of the good weather), 'eine Chance ausnutzen' (to take advantage of an opportunity), or 'den Platz ausnutzen' (to make use of the space).
Lasst uns die Gelegenheit ausnutzen und den Experten ein paar Fragen stellen.
Let's take advantage of the opportunity and ask the expert a few questions.
to use / benefit
For an opportunity, time, or resource, both nutzen and ausnutzen are possible. Ausnutzen, however, emphasizes using something as fully or as effectively as possible, and when used with people it can additionally sound unfair or exploitative. Use „nutzen“ neutrally and „ausnutzen“ when making the most of something is the main focus.
Das Team nutzt die zwei Stunden bis zur letzten Minute für die Vorbereitung aus.
The team makes the most of the two hours, using them to prepare for the meeting right up to the last minute.
Das Team nutzt die zwei Stunden für die Vorbereitung auf die Besprechung.
The team uses the two hours to prepare for the meeting.
