German word

aussterben

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈaʊ̯sˌʃtɛɐ̯bən/

Meaning

  • verbbecome extinct

Example

Viele Tierarten sterben aus.

Many animal species are becoming extinct.

Illustration for aussterben (become extinct)

More examples

Durch Klimawandel sterben viele Korallenriffe weltweit aus.

Due to climate change, many coral reefs are dying out worldwide.

Core concept

A once-continuous line of life or custom gradually loses every remaining link until nothing carries it forward.

Common phrases

  • Sprachen sterben aus

    Languages die out

  • Korallenriffe sterben aus

    Coral reefs die out

Similar words

sterben: Stop living permanently.
verschwinden: No longer be visible or present.
ausrotten: Intentionally eliminate a species or group through human action.

Definition in German

Intransitives Verb für das Verschwinden einer Art oder eines Brauchs, wenn keine Exemplare mehr existieren.

Word origin

The compound verb aussterben is built from aus- and the inherited verb sterben, with the combined sense of dying out completely.

Usage tips

  • The subject of aussterben is the species, language, or custom that vanishes, since the verb does not take an accusative object.

Other meanings

  • disappearverb
  • die outverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Aussterbenextinctionnoun
  • aussterbendbecoming extinctadjective

Word lists with this word