ausspielen
to play
In a card game, to place a particular card on the table.
EXAMPLE
Er musste seinen letzten Trumpf ausspielen, um den Stich zu gewinnen.
He had to play his last trump card to win the trick.
ausspielen
to play / to use / to play off
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Meanings
jemanden gegen jemanden ausspielen
to play off against
To set two people or groups against each other in order to gain an advantage for oneself.
EXAMPLE
Der Chef versuchte, die beiden Kollegen gegeneinander auszuspielen.
The boss tried to play the two colleagues off against each other.
ausspielen
to use
To use a strength, advantage, or ability deliberately and effectively.
EXAMPLE
In der Verhandlung konnte sie ihre ganze Erfahrung ausspielen.
In the negotiation, she was able to use all her experience.
ausspielen
to play out
To carry out a competition or tournament to the end in order to determine a winner.
EXAMPLE
Die beiden Finalisten spielen den Turniersieg unter sich aus.
The two finalists will play out the tournament victory between themselves.
ausspielen
to distribute
In media technology, to send or provide audio or video content from a device, for example for a broadcast.
EXAMPLE
Der fertige Werbespot wird morgen an die Fernsehsender ausgespielt.
The finished commercial will be distributed to the TV stations tomorrow.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Ausspielen' is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'aus-' goes to the end. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Sie spielt ihre beste Karte erst am Ende aus.
She plays her best card only at the end.
Fixed structure
In the meaning 'gegeneinander aufhetzen' (to set against each other), the verb has a fixed structure: 'jemanden (Akkusativ) gegen jemanden (Akkusativ) ausspielen' (to play someone off against someone).
EXAMPLE
Er versucht, die Abteilungen gegeneinander auszuspielen, um mehr Macht zu bekommen.
He is trying to play the departments off against each other in order to gain more power.
Typical collocations
When you use an advantage, 'ausspielen' is often combined with abstract nouns such as 'seine Stärken' (one's strengths), 'seinen Vorteil' (one's advantage), 'seine Erfahrung' (one's experience), or 'seinen Charme' (one's charm).
EXAMPLE
Im Vorstellungsgespräch konnte er seine Sprachkenntnisse voll ausspielen.
In the job interview, he was able to fully use his language skills.
Use in sports
In a sports context, the phrase 'etwas unter sich ausspielen' is often used to say that a limited group of participants is competing for victory.
EXAMPLE
Die beiden besten Teams spielen den Titel unter sich aus.
The two best teams will play out the title between themselves.
Register: technical language
In the meaning 'Audio- oder Videoinhalte senden' (to send audio or video content), 'ausspielen' is a technical term from the media and advertising industries. In this context, 'Daten' (data), 'Inhalte' (content), or 'ein Video' (a video) are often distributed.
EXAMPLE
Die Agentur spielt die Werbung auf verschiedenen Kanälen aus.
The agency distributes the advertisement across different channels.
Compare with
ausspielen vs einsetzen
to insert / to begin / to use
Both verbs describe using an ability or advantage. Einsetzen initially states neutrally that it is used for a task; ausspielen emphasizes highlighting it deliberately and effectively. Einsetzen fits simple use, while ausspielen is more appropriate when there is a clear advantage in comparison with others.
ausspielen
Im Vorstellungsgespräch spielte Lena ihre guten Sprachkenntnisse als besonderen Vorteil aus.
Lena played up her good language skills as a particular advantage during the job interview.
einsetzen
Im Gespräch setzte Lena ihre guten Sprachkenntnisse für die Übersetzung ein.
Lena used her good language skills for the translation during the conversation.
In real life
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