01
ausstehend
outstanding
Not yet paid, completed, or delivered; due.
example
Es gibt noch einige ausstehende Rechnungen aus dem letzten Monat.
There are still some outstanding invoices from last month.
ausstehend
outstanding / pending
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word structure
'Ausstehend' (outstanding/pending) is the present participle of the separable verb 'ausstehen'. It describes a state in which something is still missing, unfinished, or expected.
EXAMPLE
Die ausstehende Lieferung sollte morgen ankommen.
The outstanding delivery should arrive tomorrow.
Sentence structure
The word is very often used as a predicative adjective with the verb 'sein' (to be) or 'bleiben' (to remain), often together with 'noch' (still). The structure is then: subject + sein/bleiben + (noch) + ausstehend.
EXAMPLE
Die Bestätigung für den Termin ist noch ausstehend.
The confirmation for the appointment is still pending.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'not yet paid or delivered', 'ausstehend' (outstanding) is typically combined with financial or logistical terms. Common collocations are 'ausstehende Zahlungen' (outstanding payments), 'ausstehende Rechnungen' (outstanding invoices), or 'ein ausstehender Betrag' (an outstanding amount).
EXAMPLE
Bitte überweisen Sie die ausstehende Summe bis Ende der Woche.
Please transfer the outstanding amount by the end of the week.
Typical collocations
When a decision or information is expected, 'ausstehend' (pending) is often combined with words such as 'Antwort' (response), 'Entscheidung' (decision), 'Urteil' (judgment), or 'Ergebnis' (result).
EXAMPLE
Das endgültige Ergebnis der Untersuchung ist noch ausstehend.
The final result of the investigation is still pending.
Compare with
ausstehend vs offen
open
'offen' and 'ausstehend' can both mean that something has not yet been dealt with, paid, or decided. 'offen' is more general and often sounds more everyday: a question, a problem, or an invoice is still open. 'ausstehend' emphasizes more strongly that you are still waiting for something, for example a payment, a delivery, a response, or a result. Learners may confuse the words because both describe an unfinished state. As a simple guide: 'offen' describes the state, while 'ausstehend' is especially appropriate when something still has to arrive or be dealt with.
ausstehend
Bei der Arbeit wartet er noch auf die ausstehende Antwort der Kollegin.
At work, he is still waiting for his colleague's pending response.
offen
Nach dem Gespräch ist noch eine wichtige Frage offen.
After the conversation, one important question is still open.
In real life
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