Ausüben

Ausüben is a German verb meaning to exercise, practise, or wield something such as a right, power, function, or activity. It is commonly used with nouns like Tätigkeit (activity), Beruf (profession), Funktion (function), Rechte (rights), Befugnisse (powers), or Einfluss (influence). The sense centers on putting into effect or applying something in practice rather than merely performing or carrying out steps.

The verb is a separable-prefix verb formed from aus- and üben (to practise). In the present and imperfect, the prefix is separated in main clauses: ich übe aus, du übst aus, er übt aus, wir üben aus, ihr übt aus, sie üben aus. The past participle is ausgeübt, and the perfect tense is formed with haben: er hat eine Tätigkeit ausgeübt, sie hat Rechte ausgeübt.

Common usages include: eine Tätigkeit ausüben (to perform an activity), einen Beruf ausüben (to practice a profession), eine Funktion ausüben (to hold a function), Befugnisse oder Einfluss ausüben (to exercise powers or influence), and Druck oder Zwang ausüben (to exert pressure). The construction typically requires a direct object that indicates what is being exercised or wielded.

Distinctions: ausüben emphasizes active application and control, rather than simply performing actions. It is related to, but distinct from, ausführen, which is more about carrying out a plan or task step by step. The verb is widely used in formal and professional contexts, politics, law, and everyday speech.