ausrechnen
to calculate
To determine a result through arithmetic or calculation.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du mir schnell ausrechnen, wie viel wir für die Tickets bezahlen müssen?
Can you quickly calculate for me how much we have to pay for the tickets?
ausrechnen
to calculate
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Meanings
sich etwas ausrechnen
to reckon
To assess one's chances or the probability of a particular success or outcome.
EXAMPLE
Bei so starker Konkurrenz rechnete er sich nur geringe Chancen auf den Sieg aus.
With such strong competition, he reckoned he had only a small chance of winning.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Ausrechnen' (to calculate) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'aus' moves to the end. In a subordinate clause or infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Er rechnet die Gesamtkosten für die Reise aus.
He calculates the total cost of the trip.
Context clue
The two meanings are easy to distinguish: the reflexive form 'sich etwas ausrechnen' always means to assess one's chances. Without 'sich', it refers to a mathematical calculation.
EXAMPLE
Ich rechne mir gute Chancen für den Job aus.
I reckon I have a good chance of getting the job.
Sentence structure
When calculating, 'ausrechnen' (to calculate) can either take an accusative object or be used with a subordinate clause, often with 'wie viel' (how much), 'was' (what), or 'ob' (whether).
EXAMPLE
Ich rechne schnell den Rabatt aus.
I'll quickly calculate the discount.
Reflexive construction
When assessing one's chances, you use the reflexive structure 'sich (dative) etwas (accusative) ausrechnen'. The reflexive pronoun in the dative is crucial here.
EXAMPLE
Die Mannschaft rechnet sich gute Chancen auf den Sieg aus.
The team reckons it has a good chance of winning.
Compare with
ausrechnen vs berechnen
to calculate / charge
Both verbs refer to determining a numerical result. In everyday language, ausrechnen is the usual form for a specific calculation, whereas berechnen sounds somewhat more formal and emphasizes the calculation or method more strongly. ausrechnen is usually appropriate for a simple exercise, while berechnen is often used in factual texts.
ausrechnen
Der Schüler rechnet die Fläche des Rechtecks im Heft aus.
The student calculates the area of the rectangle in his notebook.
berechnen
Die Ingenieurin berechnet die genaue Fläche des Grundstücks.
The engineer calculates the exact area of the property.
In real life
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