to emigrate
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to emigrate
To leave one's home country permanently in order to live in another country. The opposite is 'einwandern' (to immigrate).
Ihre Großeltern sind vor vielen Jahren nach Kanada ausgewandert.
Her grandparents emigrated to Canada many years ago.
'Auswandern' (to emigrate) is a separable verb. The prefix 'aus-' comes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Viele Menschen wandern wegen der Arbeit aus.
Many people emigrate because of work.
The verb consists of the prefix 'aus-' (indicating movement from inside to outside) and the verb 'wandern' (to hike/wander). Literally, then, it means to 'wander out' of one's country.
Er träumt davon, eines Tages auszuwandern.
He dreams of emigrating one day.
Since 'auswandern' (to emigrate) describes movement and a change of location, the perfect tense is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be).
Meine Tante ist vor 20 Jahren nach Australien ausgewandert.
My aunt emigrated to Australia 20 years ago.
To indicate the destination of emigration, you use 'nach' (for most countries and cities without an article) or 'in' (for countries with an article). The country of origin is indicated with 'aus'.
Sie sind aus Deutschland nach Spanien ausgewandert.
They emigrated from Germany to Spain.
to hike / migrate / wander
'wandern' and 'auswandern' both have to do with movement from one place to another. 'wandern' usually means spending a longer time walking in nature. It can also mean that animals or groups move from place to place. 'auswandern' is much more specific: a person leaves their home country permanently in order to live in another country. Learners may confuse the words because 'auswandern' looks like a form of 'wandern'. As a practical rule: for mountains, paths, and nature, use 'wandern'. For a new life in another country, use 'auswandern'.
Nach dem Studium möchte Sofia nach Kanada auswandern.
After her studies, Sofia wants to emigrate to Canada.
Am Wochenende wandert mein Bruder mit Freunden in den Bergen.
On the weekend, my brother hikes in the mountains with friends.