Ausfalten

Ausfalten is a German verb and noun describing the act of unfolding or spreading something that is folded, rolled, or compressed. As a separable-prefix verb, it is used as ausfalten: ich falte aus, du faltest aus, er faltet aus; im Perfekt heißt es ausgefaltet or habe ausgefaltet depending on construction (ich habe die Karte ausgefaltet). The related noun Ausfaltung denotes the process or result of unfolding, and can refer to both physical spreading and the development of a plan, argument, or phenomenon.

The term is common in everyday language for actions such as laying out textiles, maps, brochures, or furniture that is stored folded. In technical contexts, Ausfaltung can describe transforming a three‑dimensional object into a two‑dimensional representation, for example when a net is created for manufacturing or geometric analysis. In science and design, Ausfaltung also appears in descriptions of expanding or revealing structures, features, or layouts.

In metaphorical usage, Ausfaltung covers the elaboration or expansion of ideas, stories, or processes—the step-by-step presentation of details or arguments. It is often used to convey the progression from a compact concept to a fully developed form, while Entfaltung is more commonly associated with broader development, unveiling latent potential, or the unfolding of capabilities.

Summary: Ausfalten mainly denotes the physical spreading of folded items or the formal, stepwise development of something that was compact, with Ausfaltung also serving as the noun for that process. It contrasts with Entfaltung, which emphasizes broader or latent development rather than just physical spreading.