der Ausweg
way out
A solution or possibility for escaping a difficult situation, often one that seems hopeless. Usually used figuratively.
EXAMPLE
In seiner Verzweiflung sah er keinen Ausweg mehr.
In his despair, he no longer saw any way out.
der Ausweg
way out
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Meanings
der Ausweg
way out
A physical route for getting out of a place; an exit. This meaning is less common than the figurative one.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Felssturz war der einzige Ausweg aus dem Tal blockiert.
After the rockslide, the only way out of the valley was blocked.
Usage tips
Compound structure
The word is simply made up of 'aus' (out) and 'Weg' (way). So it literally describes a way that leads out of a situation.
EXAMPLE
Gibt es einen anderen Ausweg aus dieser Höhle?
Is there another way out of this cave?
Figurative meaning
'Ausweg' (way out) is almost always used figuratively for a solution to a difficult situation or problem. The literal meaning of a physical route is very rare.
EXAMPLE
Wir müssen einen Ausweg aus dieser finanziellen Krise finden.
We have to find a way out of this financial crisis.
Typical collocations
The word is very often used in negative sentences to express hopelessness. Typical phrases are 'keinen Ausweg sehen' (to see no way out), 'keinen Ausweg finden' (to find no way out), or 'keinen Ausweg wissen' (to know no way out).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Verlust seines Jobs sah er zunächst keinen Ausweg.
After losing his job, at first he saw no way out.
Compare with
Ausweg vs Lösung
solution
Both Lösung and Ausweg help in a difficult situation. Lösung deals with the actual problem, whereas Ausweg mainly makes it possible to escape the current situation without necessarily solving the problem permanently.
Ausweg
Die Verschiebung des Termins war ein Ausweg aus dem akuten Zeitdruck.
Postponing the appointment was a way out of the immediate time pressure.
Lösung
Eine zusätzliche Fachkraft war die dauerhafte Lösung für den Personalmangel.
Hiring an additional specialist was the permanent solution to the staff shortage.
In real life
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