01
aussterben
to die out
For an animal or plant species to cease to exist.
example
Die Dinosaurier sind vor etwa 66 Millionen Jahren ausgestorben.
The dinosaurs died out about 66 million years ago.
aussterben
to die out
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable verb
'Aussterben' (to die out) is a separable verb. The prefix 'aus-' emphasizes the finality and completeness of the death of an entire group and comes at the end in a main clause.
EXAMPLE
Viele alte Handwerksberufe sterben langsam aus.
Many old craft trades are slowly dying out.
Perfect tense with 'sein'
Since 'aussterben' (to die out) describes a change of state, the perfect tense is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be), not with 'haben' (to have). A common mistake is using 'haben'.
EXAMPLE
Diese seltene Vogelart ist leider vor 50 Jahren ausgestorben.
Unfortunately, this rare bird species died out 50 years ago.
Figurative meaning
In addition to animal and plant species, 'aussterben' (to die out) is often used figuratively for things that become rare or disappear. Typical examples are professions, traditions, customs, or family names.
EXAMPLE
Manche glauben, dass das gedruckte Buch bald aussterben wird.
Some people believe that the printed book will soon die out.
Compare with
aussterben vs sterben
to die
'sterben' and 'aussterben' can both mean that life ends or something disappears. 'sterben' is used for individual people, animals, or plants. An idea or a feeling can also 'sterben' in a figurative sense. 'aussterben', on the other hand, is used for an entire species, a family, a profession, or a tradition. So it is not about one individual living being, but about something no longer existing at all at some point. Learners can easily confuse the words because both have to do with the end of life. A simple guide is: an animal 'stirbt', but a species 'stirbt aus'.
aussterben
Viele seltene Tierarten sterben aus, weil ihr Lebensraum kleiner wird.
Many rare animal species are dying out because their habitat is getting smaller.
sterben
Der alte Hund ist gestern in der Tierklinik gestorben.
The old dog died yesterday at the veterinary clinic.
In real life
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