verb

ausgeben

spend

Es bedeutet, Geld für etwas zu verwenden oder anderen etwas zu einem Zweck zu geben.

Definition & meaning

The German verb ausgeben has several common meanings depending on the context:

To spend money: This is the most frequent use. It refers to paying money for goods or services. For example, "Geld für Kleidung ausgeben" (to spend money on clothes).
To issue or distribute: It is used when official documents, tickets, or items are handed out to people. For example, "Fahrkarten ausgeben" (to issue tickets).
To pretend to be: In the reflexive form "sich als jemand/etwas ausgeben," it means to pose as someone or something else or to claim to be someone you are not. For example, "Er gab sich als Arzt aus" (He pretended to be a doctor).
To treat someone: In a social context, "einen ausgeben" means to pay for a round of drinks or a meal for others.
Output (Computing): In technical contexts, it refers to a computer or system producing or displaying data.

Grammar & Word origin

ausgeben is a separable strong verb. Its principal parts are:

Präsens: gibt aus
Präteritum: gab aus
Partizip II: ausgegeben

The word is composed of the prefix aus (out) and the basic verb geben (to give). Literally, it means "to give out." This "giving out" logic applies to almost all its meanings: giving money out of your wallet, giving documents out to the public, or giving out information from a computer.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

To spend: bezahlen, aufwenden, verpulvern (colloquial for wasting money).
To distribute/issue: verteilen, austeilen, emittieren (financial/formal).
To pretend: vorgeben, vortäuschen, heucheln.
To treat someone: spendieren, einladen.

Antonyms

Related to money: sparen (to save), einnehmen (to take in/earn), verdienen (to earn).
Related to distribution: einsammeln (to collect), einziehen (to confiscate or withdraw from circulation).
Related to output: eingeben (to input).