German word

ausdrücken

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈaʊ̯sˌdʁʏkən/

Meaning

  • verbexpress

Example

Er drückt seine Gedanken klar aus.

He expresses his thoughts clearly.

Illustration for ausdrücken (express)

More examples

Im Gespräch kann er seine Bedürfnisse auf Deutsch nicht ausdrücken.

In conversation, he cannot express his needs in German.

Core concept

An inner thought is pressed outward until it takes the form of words or a clear sign.

Common phrases

  • Bedürfnisse ausdrücken

    express needs

  • offen ausdrücken

    express openly

  • Mitgefühl ausdrücken

    express compassion

Similar words

sagen: State thoughts or information aloud.
äußern: State a personal thought or opinion openly.
mitteilen: Convey information or news clearly so that others understand it.
formulieren: Put an intended message into suitable words or sentences.

Definition in German

einen Gedanken oder ein Gefühl in Worte fassen oder andeuten

Word origin

The verb combines the separable prefix "aus-" meaning outward with "drücken" meaning press, extending the idea of pressing something out to expressing it.

Usage tips

  • In a finite main clause, "ausdrücken" separates, as in "Er drückt seine Gedanken klar aus"; its participle is "ausgedrückt".

Other meanings

  • conveyverb
  • press outverb

Opposites

  • verheimlichenconcealverb

Related words

  • ausdrucksvollexpressiveadjective
  • Ausdrucksvermögenexpressive abilitynoun

Word lists with this word