01
rausholen
to take out
To remove something from a container, a place, or an enclosure and bring it outside.
example
Kannst du bitte die Milch aus dem Kühlschrank rausholen?
Can you please take the milk out of the fridge?
rausholen
to take out / get out
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable verb
'Rausholen' (to take out / get out) is a separable verb. The prefix 'raus-' comes at the end in main clauses, while in subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', it remains attached to the verb.
EXAMPLE
Er holt ein Buch aus dem Regal raus.
He takes a book out of the shelf.
Colloquial form
The prefix 'raus-' is the colloquial and commonly used short form of 'heraus-' (out). In spoken German, 'rausholen' (to take out / get out) is much more common than 'herausholen' (to take out / get out).
EXAMPLE
Holst du bitte den Müll raus?
Will you please take out the trash?
Context clue
The preposition 'aus' (out of / from) helps distinguish the meanings. 'Aus dem Kühlschrank' (out of the fridge) is literal, 'aus der Mannschaft' (out of the team) refers to performance, and 'aus dem Feuer' (out of the fire) refers to a rescue.
EXAMPLE
Er holt das Beste aus sich raus.
He gets the best out of himself.
Sentence structure and usage pattern
In the literal meaning, the verb often follows this pattern: 'jemand holt [Akkusativobjekt] aus [Dativobjekt] raus' (someone takes [accusative object] out of [dative object]).
EXAMPLE
Ich habe die alten Fotos aus der Kiste rausgeholt.
I took the old photos out of the box.
Compare with
rausholen vs retten
to save / rescue
'retten' and 'rausholen' can be similar when someone is freed from a difficult or dangerous situation. 'retten' is the more precise and more neutral expression, especially when there is real danger or an emergency. 'rausholen' sounds more colloquial and puts more emphasis on getting someone out of a situation. You can 'jemanden aus einem brennenden Haus retten' (rescue someone from a burning house); but colloquially, you can also say that the police 'jemanden aus einer gefährlichen Situation rausholt' (gets someone out of a dangerous situation). The words can be confused because both can express rescue or freeing someone. When the danger or rescue is the focus, 'retten' is more natural. When the focus is on getting someone out of the situation, 'rausholen' fits.
rausholen
Mein Freund hat mich aus dem Streit rausgeholt, bevor es schlimmer wurde.
My friend got me out of the argument before it got worse.
retten
Die Feuerwehr konnte das Kind rechtzeitig aus dem Haus retten.
The fire department was able to rescue the child from the house in time.
In real life
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