Ausrufesatz

Ausrufesatz, or exclamative sentence, is a category in German grammar used to express strong emotion, surprise, joy, or emphasis. It is one of the four main sentence types in German, alongside Aussagesatz (statement), Fragesatz (question), and Aufforderungssatz (imperative).

It typically ends with an exclamation mark and may be formed with words like Was, Was für ein..., Wie..., or with other emphatic phrases. Examples: Was für ein Tag! Wie schön ist doch der Abend! So ein Glück! Hurra! The form can be a full clause (for example, Es ist unglaublich!) or a shorter phrase.

Punctuation and intonation: In writing, the exclamation mark signals the exclamative force; in speech, a distinctive intonation reinforces it. Ausrufesätze can stand alone or be inserted for emphasis within larger discourse. They are distinct from interjections, though interjections often function as standalone exclamations within Ausrufesatz contexts.

Notes: The term is used in school grammars and linguistic descriptions of German. Ausrufesätze help convey the speaker’s attitude toward the content, rather than seeking information (as in questions) or issuing commands (as in imperatives).