to pour out / to distribute
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to pour out
To remove the contents of a container, usually a liquid or something granular, by tilting or pouring.
Bitte schütte das alte Blumenwasser aus, bevor du frisches einfüllst.
Please pour out the old flower water before you add fresh water.
to distribute
In an economic context: to pay out profits or dividends to the shareholders of a company.
Die Aktiengesellschaft wird dieses Jahr eine Rekorddividende an ihre Aktionäre ausschütten.
The corporation will distribute a record dividend to its shareholders this year.
to release
In a biological or medical context: the release of the body's own substances, such as hormones or neurotransmitters.
Bei Freude und Aufregung schüttet der Körper vermehrt Endorphine aus.
When we feel joy and excitement, the body releases more endorphins.
'Ausschütten' (to pour out / to distribute / to release) is a separable verb with the prefix 'aus-'. In a main clause, 'aus' moves to the end of the sentence. The base verb 'schütten' means 'to pour' or 'to scatter'.
Er schüttet den Rest des Kaffees aus.
He pours out the rest of the coffee.
The meaning of 'ausschütten' depends heavily on the context. In everyday life, it is about liquids. In business, it is about money (profits, dividends). In biology, it is about substances produced by the body (hormones).
Schüttest du bitte das Nudelwasser aus?
Could you please pour out the pasta water?
In a financial context, the verb is often used with the preposition 'an' + accusative to name the recipients. Typical objects are 'Gewinne' (profits), 'Dividenden' (dividends), or 'Prämien' (bonuses).
Der Konzern schüttet die Gewinne an die Aktionäre aus.
The corporation distributes the profits to the shareholders.
In a biological or medical context, the subject is often 'der Körper' (the body) or an organ. Typical objects that are released are 'Hormone' (hormones), 'Adrenalin' (adrenaline), or 'Endorphine' (endorphins).
Beim Sport schüttet das Gehirn Glückshormone aus.
During exercise, the brain releases happiness hormones.
to pay out
Both verbs can refer to the payment of company profits. „Ausschütten“ is the usual term for distributing profits or dividends to several shareholders. „Auszahlen“ focuses more on a specific person or entity receiving the amount they are entitled to. The people involved and the distribution framework determine which choice is more appropriate.
Die Firma schüttete den Gewinn an alle Anteilseigner aus.
The company distributed the profits among all the shareholders.
Die Firma zahlte jedem ausgeschiedenen Partner seinen Gewinnanteil aus.
The company paid each partner who was leaving their share of the profits.
