auszahlen
to pay out
To give someone money that they are entitled to, for example a salary, winnings, or a share.
EXAMPLE
Die Firma zahlt die Gehälter immer am Monatsende aus.
The company always pays out salaries at the end of the month.
auszahlen
to pay out
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Meanings
sich auszahlen
to pay off
To be worthwhile; to lead to a positive result, so that the invested effort, time, or money was worth it.
EXAMPLE
Die harte Arbeit für die Prüfung hat sich am Ende ausgezahlt.
The hard work for the exam paid off in the end.
auszahlen
to buy out
To give a business partner or co-heir their share of the joint assets so that they leave the company or community.
EXAMPLE
Er hat seinen Bruder ausgezahlt, um die Firma allein weiterzuführen.
He bought out his brother in order to continue running the company on his own.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Auszahlen' (to pay out) is a separable verb. The prefix 'aus' comes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses or in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Der Lottogewinn wird nächste Woche ausgezahlt.
The lottery winnings will be paid out next week.
Reflexive use
In the meaning 'to be worthwhile', the verb is always used reflexively: 'sich auszahlen' (to pay off). The subject is the effort or investment that was worthwhile.
EXAMPLE
Das lange Lernen hat sich ausgezahlt, ich habe die Prüfung bestanden.
The long studying paid off; I passed the exam.
Context clue
The meaning depends on the sentence structure. 'Jemandem (Dativ) etwas auszahlen' means to pay someone money. 'Sich auszahlen' means that effort pays off. 'Jemanden (Akkusativ) auszahlen' means to buy a partner out of a business.
EXAMPLE
Die Firma zahlt den Mitarbeitern (Dativ) den Lohn aus.
The company pays out the wages to the employees (dative).
Typical collocations
Typical things that are paid out are money or financial claims. Common objects are 'Gehalt' (salary), 'Lohn' (wages), 'Gewinne' (winnings), 'Überstunden' (overtime), or 'einen Anteil' (a share).
EXAMPLE
Das Casino muss den Gewinn sofort auszahlen.
The casino has to pay out the winnings immediately.
Compare with
auszahlen vs bezahlen
to pay
Bezahlen usually refers to giving money for goods, a service, or a debt. Auszahlen, by contrast, means giving someone money they are entitled to, such as wages, winnings, or a share. For a bill, you normally say „bezahlen“; for an amount owed to a person, „auszahlen“.
auszahlen
Der Betrieb zahlt den Lohn am letzten Arbeitstag des Monats aus.
The company pays out the wages on the last working day of the month.
bezahlen
Die Kundin muss die Rechnung für die Reparatur bezahlen.
The customer has to pay the repair bill.
In real life
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