ausrichten
to convey
To pass on a message, greeting, or piece of information to a person.
EXAMPLE
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
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Meanings
ausrichten
to align
To bring something into a certain position, location, or direction; to adjust or set something.
EXAMPLE
Wir müssen die Satellitenschüssel genau auf den Satelliten ausrichten.
We have to align the satellite dish exactly with the satellite.
ausrichten
to host
To organize and host an event such as a celebration, conference, or competition.
EXAMPLE
Nächstes Jahr richtet unsere Stadt die Landesgartenschau aus.
Next year, our city will host the state garden show.
etwas ausrichten können
to be able to achieve something
To be able to bring about or achieve something. Often used in the negative form to express powerlessness.
EXAMPLE
Gegen eine so große Übermacht konnten die Verteidiger nichts ausrichten.
Against such overwhelming forces, the defenders could not achieve anything.
sich ausrichten nach
to be guided by
To orient oneself toward something or someone; to take something as a standard or guideline.
EXAMPLE
Die Preise für das Hotel richten sich nach der Saison.
The prices for the hotel are guided by the season.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'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.
EXAMPLE
Er richtet seiner Chefin liebe Grüße von mir aus.
He conveys kind regards from me to his boss.
Word structure
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.
EXAMPLE
Könntest du die Stühle bitte im Kreis ausrichten?
Could you please arrange the chairs in a circle?
Sentence structure with dative
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).
EXAMPLE
Richte deinem Bruder bitte aus, dass das Training heute ausfällt.
Please tell your brother that training is canceled today.
Use with preposition
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).
EXAMPLE
Der Soldat richtete sein Gewehr auf das Ziel aus.
The soldier aimed his rifle at the target.
Typical collocations
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).
EXAMPLE
Nächstes Jahr richten wir die Familienfeier bei uns aus.
Next year, we are hosting the family celebration at our place.
Fixed expression
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.
EXAMPLE
Mit guten Worten allein konnte er leider nichts ausrichten.
Unfortunately, he could not achieve anything with kind words alone.
Reflexive with 'nach'
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).
EXAMPLE
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.
Compare with
ausrichten vs einstellen
to hire / adjust / stop
Einstellen and ausrichten can both be used when adjusting a device. Einstellen is used for choosing a value or function. Ausrichten, by contrast, means bringing the device into a specific spatial position or direction.
ausrichten
Vor der Aufnahme richtet die Fotografin die Kamera auf die Bühne aus.
Before the shoot, the photographer points the camera at the stage.
einstellen
Vor der Aufnahme stellt die Fotografin an der Kamera eine kurze Belichtungszeit ein.
Before the shoot, the photographer sets a short exposure time on the camera.
In real life
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