01
herausnehmen
to take out
To remove something from a container, packaging, or a larger whole.
example
Sie nahm vorsichtig den heißen Kuchen aus dem Ofen.
She carefully took the hot cake out of the oven.
herausnehmen
to take out / take the liberty
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 02
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Herausnehmen' (to take out) is a separable verb. The prefix 'heraus-' comes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses or in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Er nimmt das Buch aus der Tasche heraus.
He takes the book out of the bag.
Prefix 'heraus-'
The prefix 'heraus-' describes a movement from inside to outside, typically toward the speaker. It makes clear that something is being removed from a surrounding space.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du bitte die Getränke aus dem Keller herausnehmen und nach oben bringen?
Could you please take the drinks out of the cellar and bring them upstairs?
Context clue
You can easily distinguish the two main meanings. The literal meaning ('entfernen' — to remove) is not reflexive. The figurative, negative meaning ('sich anmaßen' — to presume) is always reflexive: 'sich etwas herausnehmen' (to take the liberty of doing something).
EXAMPLE
Sie nimmt die Wäsche aus der Maschine heraus.
She takes the laundry out of the machine.
Reflexive form
In the meaning 'sich anmaßen' (to presume), the verb is always reflexive, and the pronoun is in the dative: 'sich (Dativ) etwas herausnehmen'. It expresses strong indignation about a person's behavior.
EXAMPLE
Ich kann nicht glauben, dass sie sich das herausgenommen hat.
I can't believe that she took the liberty of doing that.
Compare with
herausnehmen vs entfernen
to remove
'entfernen' and 'herausnehmen' can both mean that something is taken away from its place. 'herausnehmen' is more precise when something is inside a container, packaging, or a larger whole and you take it out. 'entfernen' is more general and can also mean that you get rid of something, even if it was not inside something before. Learners may confuse the words because both are often used with objects. A simple guideline is: if something is inside, 'herausnehmen' fits very well; if something simply needs to be gone, 'entfernen' fits better.
herausnehmen
Vor dem Termin nimmt die Ärztin die Spritze aus der Verpackung heraus.
Before the appointment, the doctor takes the syringe out of the packaging.
entfernen
Im Kurs entfernt ihr bitte alle falschen Wörter aus dem Text.
In the course, please remove all incorrect words from the text.
In real life
Loading video examples...