01
auswärtig
nonlocal
Not from this place; coming from another city, another region, or another country.
example
Für das Konzert kamen viele auswärtige Fans in die Stadt.
Many nonlocal fans came to the city for the concert.
auswärtig
nonlocal / foreign
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word formation
The word is derived from 'auswärts' (away from here). The ending '-ig' turns it into an adjective. So 'auswärtig' describes a quality connected with 'coming from outside'.
EXAMPLE
Das Auto hat ein auswärtiges Kennzeichen.
The car has a nonlocal license plate.
Fixed expression
In a political context, 'auswärtig' is used almost exclusively in the fixed expression 'das Auswärtige Amt' (the Federal Foreign Office). This is the name of the German foreign ministry.
EXAMPLE
Der Minister arbeitet im Auswärtigen Amt in Berlin.
The minister works at the Federal Foreign Office in Berlin.
Typical collocations
'Auswärtig' is often combined with people or things that are not from the place where one is currently located. Typical examples are: 'auswärtige Gäste' (nonlocal guests), 'auswärtige Studenten' (nonlocal students), or in sports 'das auswärtige Team' (the away team).
EXAMPLE
Viele auswärtige Besucher kamen zum Stadtfest.
Many nonlocal visitors came to the city festival.
Compare with
auswärtig vs international
international
'international' and 'auswärtig' can both have to do with places outside one's own area. However, 'international' clearly means multiple countries or relationships across national borders. 'auswärtig' more often means: not from here, but from another place, another city, region, or sometimes another country. In fixed official expressions like 'Auswärtiges Amt' (Federal Foreign Office), it refers to foreign policy. Learners may confuse the words because both point "outward." When multiple countries are important, 'international' is more precise. When the point is simply that someone or something is not from this place, 'auswärtig' fits better.
auswärtig
Die auswärtigen Gäste übernachten nach der Feier im Hotel.
The nonlocal guests are staying at the hotel after the celebration.
international
Unser Team arbeitet international mit Partnern in Spanien und Polen.
Our team works internationally with partners in Spain and Poland.
In real life
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