ausverkauft
sold out
Describes a state in which all available copies of a product or all tickets for an event have been sold.
EXAMPLE
Das Konzert war innerhalb von Minuten komplett ausverkauft.
The concert was completely sold out within minutes.
ausverkauft
sold out
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Meanings
ausverkauft
sold out
In a figurative sense: describes a person or group that has given up their artistic or moral principles for commercial success.
EXAMPLE
Viele alte Fans finden, die Band sei seit ihrem großen Erfolg kommerziell und ausverkauft.
Many old fans think the band has become commercial and sold out since their big success.
Usage tips
Word structure
'Ausverkauft' (sold out) is the past participle of the separable verb 'ausverkaufen' (to sell out). This verb means to sell all copies or units of something until nothing is left.
EXAMPLE
Der Händler hat alle seine alten Modelle schnell ausverkauft.
The dealer quickly sold out all his old models.
Sentence structure and use
This adjective is usually used predicatively with the verb 'sein' (to be). So the structure is: 'Etwas IST ausverkauft' (Something IS sold out).
EXAMPLE
Die Tickets für das Finale sind schon seit Wochen ausverkauft.
The tickets for the final have been sold out for weeks.
Typical intensifiers
To emphasize that truly nothing is available anymore, 'ausverkauft' (sold out) is often combined with adverbs like 'komplett' (completely), 'völlig' (entirely), or 'restlos' (completely).
EXAMPLE
Das Festival war dieses Jahr wieder restlos ausverkauft.
The festival was completely sold out again this year.
Context clue
The figurative meaning always refers to people or creative groups (e.g., a band, an artist). It expresses a negative judgment that someone has betrayed their ideals for money.
EXAMPLE
Einige Kritiker werfen dem Regisseur vor, er sei mittlerweile völlig ausverkauft.
Some critics accuse the director of being completely sold out by now.
Compare with
ausverkauft vs vergreifen
to be sold out / to help oneself to
Ausverkauft and vergriffen mean here that nothing is left available because everything has been sold. Ausverkauft is generally used for products and events. Vergriffen is used especially for goods such as books or particular editions that are no longer in stock.
ausverkauft
Für die heutige Lesung sind bereits alle Plätze ausverkauft.
All seats for today's reading are already sold out.
vergreifen
Die neue Ausgabe des vorgestellten Buches ist bereits vergriffen.
The new edition of the book being discussed is already sold out.
In real life
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