01
austrocknen
to dry out
To become completely dry through the loss of water or moisture (intransitive).
example
Im heißen Sommer ist der kleine Bach komplett ausgetrocknet.
In the hot summer, the small stream completely dried out.
austrocknen
to dry out
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word structure
'Austrocknen' (to dry out) is a separable verb made up of 'aus-' and 'trocknen' (to dry). The prefix 'aus-' intensifies the verb and means that something becomes dry completely or to the end.
EXAMPLE
Lass die Kräuter an der Luft vollständig austrocknen.
Let the herbs dry out completely in the air.
Auxiliary verb: sein vs. haben
The auxiliary verb in the perfect tense depends on the usage. When something dries out by itself (intransitive), you use 'sein' (to be). When someone or something actively dries out something else (transitive), you use 'haben' (to have).
EXAMPLE
Der Boden ist in der Hitze komplett ausgetrocknet.
The ground has completely dried out in the heat.
Separable verb
As a separable verb, the prefix 'aus' goes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Meine Haut trocknet im Winter immer schnell aus.
My skin always dries out quickly in winter.
Figurative meaning
The verb is often used figuratively for resources that run dry. Typical examples are 'der Markt trocknet aus' (the market is drying up), 'die Kreativität trocknet aus' (creativity is drying up), or 'finanzielle Quellen trocknen aus' (financial sources are drying up).
EXAMPLE
Nach der Budgetkürzung droht das Projekt finanziell auszutrocknen.
After the budget cut, the project is in danger of drying up financially.
Compare with
austrocknen vs erschöpfen
to exhaust / deplete
'erschöpfen' and 'austrocknen' can both mean that something is no longer available or is running out. 'erschöpfen' is more general: you can deplete supplies, money, possibilities, or strength. 'austrocknen' first has to do with water or moisture: a lake dries out, or soil becomes dry. It is also used figuratively when, for example, sources of money or creativity dry up. The words can be confused because both describe the end of resources. If it is not about dryness or something drying up, 'erschöpfen' is usually more precise.
austrocknen
Im heißen Sommer trocknet der kleine See fast ganz aus.
In the hot summer, the small lake almost completely dries out.
erschöpfen
Nach drei Wochen waren alle Möglichkeiten zur Hilfe erschöpft.
After three weeks, all possibilities for help had been exhausted.
In real life
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