Ausschalten

Ausschalten is a German verb meaning to turn off, deactivate, or disable a device, system, or process. It is a separable-prefix verb: in present tense the prefix aus- is separated from the stem (Ich schalte den Fernseher aus). The past participle is ausgeschaltet, as in Der Fernseher ist ausgeschaltet. When using the infinitive with zu, it becomes auszuschalten (Ich habe vor, den Fernseher auszuschalten).

Common uses include turning off lights, computers, machines, or software, as well as cutting power for safety or energy-saving reasons. In everyday language you might say: Schalte bitte die Lampe aus. In technical contexts you can say der Computer wurde ausgeschaltet oder das System ist ausgeschaltet.

Notions and distinctions: einschalten means to turn on, the opposite of ausschalten. Abschalten is a related term that can imply a more formal, abrupt, or complete shutdown of a system or service, sometimes by an external authority or automatic control. Although they overlap, the choice between ausschalten and abschalten can convey different nuances about duration, control, or intent.

Adjective form and related usage: ausgeschaltet is used as a state description, e.g., Der Monitor ist ausgeschaltet. The verb is also common in safety and energy management, such as Not-Aus-Notstopp, where a device is immediately ausschaltet to halt operations.

See also: einschalten (turn on) and abschalten (shut down or deactivate).