to amount to / run out
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to amount to
To move toward something specific as the result or consequence, or to be reducible to it. It describes what a development or process ultimately leads to.
Alle Diskussionen laufen am Ende immer auf die Frage hinaus, wer das bezahlen soll.
In the end, all the discussions always amount to the question of who is supposed to pay for it.
'Hinauslaufen' (to amount to/run out) is a separable verb. The prefix 'hinaus-' goes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Die Verhandlung läuft auf einen Kompromiss hinaus.
The negotiation amounts to a compromise.
The verb consists of the directional element 'hinaus' (out/outward) and 'laufen' (to run). The figurative meaning is derived from the question: 'Where does this process run to in the end?'
Als es anfing zu regnen, liefen die Kinder schnell ins Haus hinein, anstatt hinaus.
When it started to rain, the children quickly ran into the house instead of out.
In the figurative meaning 'to have as a result', 'hinauslaufen' (to amount to) is always used with the preposition 'auf' and the accusative. This pattern is fixed: 'auf etwas hinauslaufen' (to amount to something).
Letztendlich läuft die ganze Debatte auf die Kostenfrage hinaus.
Ultimately, the whole debate amounts to the question of costs.
In the literal meaning, a preposition such as 'aus' (+ dative) is often added to say where someone is running out from.
Die Katze lief neugierig aus der offenen Tür hinaus.
The cat ran curiously out through the open door.
to flow into / lead to
'münden in' and 'hinauslaufen auf' can both say what a development ultimately leads to. 'münden in' more often describes something ending in a result. It can also be used literally with rivers, but here the focus is on the figurative meaning. 'hinauslaufen auf' often means: when you consider everything, it ultimately leads to exactly this point or consequence. The words are easy to confuse because both name an endpoint. 'hinauslaufen auf' often sounds more like an evaluation or summary.
Der Plan läuft darauf hinaus, dass alle länger arbeiten müssen.
The plan amounts to everyone having to work longer hours.
Die vielen kleinen Probleme mündeten schließlich in eine große Krise.
The many small problems eventually led to a major crisis.