01
ausrauben
to rob
To steal from a person or a place (such as a bank or a shop) using force or threats.
example
Letzte Nacht wurde die Tankstelle an der Ecke ausgeraubt.
Last night, the gas station on the corner was robbed.
ausrauben
to rob
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Meanings
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Ausrauben' (to rob) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'aus-' comes at the end of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Zwei maskierte Männer raubten die Bank aus.
Two masked men robbed the bank.
The correct object
The accusative object of 'ausrauben' (to rob) is always the person or place that is robbed. The stolen things cannot be the direct object of this verb.
EXAMPLE
Die Diebe haben den Touristen ausgeraubt.
The thieves robbed the tourist.
Often used in the passive
This verb is very often used in the passive, especially in the news. This puts the victim of the robbery at the center of the statement.
EXAMPLE
Der Supermarkt wurde am helllichten Tag ausgeraubt.
The supermarket was robbed in broad daylight.
Compare with
ausrauben vs stehlen
to steal
'stehlen' and 'ausrauben' both have to do with theft. 'stehlen' is more general and means that someone secretly takes something that does not belong to them. 'ausrauben' is stronger: a person or place is robbed, usually with force or threats. You can steal a wallet, but you are more likely to 'ausrauben' a bank, a shop, or a person. Learners may confuse the words because both describe taking something away. The difference is important: 'stehlen' describes the action involving the object; 'ausrauben' describes the robbery of a person or place.
ausrauben
In der Nacht haben zwei Männer eine kleine Tankstelle ausgeraubt.
During the night, two men robbed a small gas station.
stehlen
Lukas hat gesehen, wie jemand im Bus eine Tasche stehlen wollte.
Lukas saw someone trying to steal a bag on the bus.
In real life
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