verb

ausloten

explore

Etwas vorsichtig prüfen, um herauszufinden, wie tief es ist oder wie es genau aussieht.

The German word "ausloten" is a verb composed of:

  • "aus" (prefix meaning "out" or "thoroughly")
  • "loten" (from "Lot," meaning "plumb line" or "sounding line," used to measure depth)

Meaning:
"Ausloten" means "to probe," "to gauge," or "to sound out" something—often used figuratively to describe exploring or carefully examining a situation, opinion, or possibility.

Similar words:

  • erkunden (to explore)
  • prüfen (to check/examine)
  • abklopfen (to sound out, investigate)

Differences:
"Ausloten" emphasizes a careful and thorough probing to understand limits or depths, often in a metaphorical sense, whereas erkunden is more about general exploration and prüfen is broader checking. Abklopfen can be more informal or investigative, sometimes less thorough than "ausloten."

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Examples

Lasst uns alle Chancen ausloten.verb

Let's explore all the opportunities.

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