to convey / to align / to host
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to convey
To pass on a message, greeting, or piece of information to a person.
Wenn du ihn siehst, kannst du ihm bitte ausrichten, dass er mich anrufen soll?
If you see him, could you please convey to him that he should call me?
'Ausrichten' (to convey / to align / to host) is a separable verb. The prefix 'aus-' stands at the end of the main clause; in a subordinate clause it remains connected to the verb, and in the infinitive with 'zu', 'zu' stands in between.
Er richtet seiner Chefin liebe Grüße von mir aus.
He conveys kind regards from me to his boss.
The verb consists of the prefix 'aus-' and the verb 'richten' (to direct, to aim). The prefix modifies the basic meaning and gives the verb a new direction depending on the context, e.g. forwarding a message or organizing an event.
Könntest du die Stühle bitte im Kreis ausrichten?
Could you please arrange the chairs in a circle?
When you pass on a message, you need a person in the dative (to whom?) and the information in the accusative (what?). The structure is: 'jemandem etwas ausrichten' (to convey something to someone).
Richte deinem Bruder bitte aus, dass das Training heute ausfällt.
Please tell your brother that training is canceled today.
When you adjust something, the preposition 'auf' (to/toward) or 'nach' (according to/by) is often used to indicate the target or reference. The structure is: 'etwas auf/nach etwas ausrichten' (to align something with/according to something).
Der Soldat richtete sein Gewehr auf das Ziel aus.
The soldier aimed his rifle at the target.
In the meaning 'veranstalten' (to host), 'ausrichten' (to host) is often combined with events and celebrations. Typical expressions are: 'eine Party ausrichten' (to host a party), 'eine Hochzeit ausrichten' (to host a wedding), 'ein Turnier ausrichten' (to host a tournament), or 'eine Konferenz ausrichten' (to host a conference).
Nächstes Jahr richten wir die Familienfeier bei uns aus.
Next year, we are hosting the family celebration at our place.
This meaning is almost always negated and used with a modal verb such as 'können' (can). The expression 'nichts ausrichten können' means that one is powerless or has no influence.
Mit guten Worten allein konnte er leider nichts ausrichten.
Unfortunately, he could not achieve anything with kind words alone.
In the meaning 'sich orientieren' (to orient oneself), the verb is reflexive and is always used with the preposition 'nach' and the dative. The structure is: 'sich nach etwas/jemandem ausrichten' (to be guided by something/someone).
Die Modeindustrie richtet sich immer nach den Wünschen der jungen Generation aus.
The fashion industry is always guided by the wishes of the younger generation.
to reach
'erreichen' and 'ausrichten' can both mean that you bring something about or achieve a result. 'erreichen' fits when you have a clear goal and manage to achieve that goal. 'etwas ausrichten können' is used more when the question is whether someone has any influence at all or can change something. It often appears in sentences like 'Ich kann nichts ausrichten' (I can't do anything about it). Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with success or effect. 'Erreichen' sounds goal-oriented; 'ausrichten' is more about power, influence, or possibility.
Gegen diese Entscheidung kann ich leider nichts ausrichten.
Unfortunately, I can't do anything about this decision.
Mit dem neuen Plan hat das Team sein Ziel schneller erreicht.
With the new plan, the team achieved its goal more quickly.