German word

austauschen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈaʊ̯sˌtaʊ̯ʃn̩/

Meaning

  • verbswap

Example

Wir tauschen unsere Bücher aus.

We swap our books.

Illustration for austauschen (swap)

More examples

Wir tauschen Erfahrungen aus, um voneinander zu lernen.

We exchange experiences to learn from each other.

Core concept

One item goes out and a different item comes in, or two sides trade information with each other.

Common phrases

  • tauschen Erfahrungen aus

    exchange experiences

  • tauschen Kontaktdaten aus

    exchange contact information

Similar words

sich austauschen: Share thoughts, opinions, or information back and forth.
tauschen: Give and receive items in a mutual exchange.
wechseln: Change from one item, setting, or option to another.

Definition in German

Etwas weggeben und dafür etwas anderes nehmen oder im Austausch gegenseitig Dinge oder Informationen übergeben; als trennbares Verb behandelt (ich tausche … aus).

Word origin

The verb is formed from aus- and tauschen, with aus- adding an outward or completed-exchange sense to the older verb tauschen.

Usage tips

  • For a mutual exchange of ideas or information, German commonly uses sich austauschen, while a direct object names what is exchanged.

Other meanings

  • exchangeverb
  • replaceverb

Opposites

Related words

  • der Austauschexchangenoun
  • austauschbarinterchangeableadjective

Word lists with this word