01
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
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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 spielen
to play
'spielen' and 'ausspielen' can both occur in games, sports, or competitions. 'spielen' is general: you play a game, a sport, or a game of chance. 'ausspielen' is more specific. In a card game, it means to place a card on the table. With strengths or advantages, it means to use them deliberately. In a competition, 'ausspielen' can mean that it is carried through to the end in order to find a winner. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with 'Spiel' (game / play). 'spielen' describes the activity itself, while 'ausspielen' usually describes a specific move, a deliberate use, or deciding a competition.
ausspielen
Im letzten Zug spielt Tom seine höchste Karte aus.
On the last turn, Tom plays his highest card.
spielen
Am Abend spielen wir mit den Nachbarn Karten.
In the evening, we play cards with the neighbors.
In real life
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