German word

auslegen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈaʊ̯sˌleːgn̩/

Meaning

  • verbfront

Example

Ich habe das Geld ausgelegt.

I fronted the money.

Illustration for auslegen (front)

More examples

Kannst du mir heute das Geld für das Buch auslegen?

Can you front me the money for the book today?

Core concept

A hand lays something out in front of others, where it can be seen, understood, or used before the final account is settled.

Common phrases

  • jemandem spontan Geld auslegen

    front someone money on the spot

  • die Rechnung für jemanden auslegen

    front the bill for someone

  • jemandem vorübergehend Geld auslegen

    temporarily front someone money

Similar words

vorschießen: Temporarily paying an amount for someone at their request, expecting repayment.
vorstrecken: Covering a cost first so it can be settled with the other party later.

Definition in German

etwas (z. B. Kosten) zunächst selbst bezahlen, oft mit der Erwartung auf Erstattung

Word origin

Auslegen combines the separable prefix aus- meaning out with legen meaning lay; laying something out developed into displaying, explaining, or paying before reimbursement.

Usage tips

  • In the payment sense, auslegen is separable: Ich lege das Geld aus, and its perfect participle is ausgelegt.

Other meanings

  • displayverb
  • interpretverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word