ausgehen

Ausgehen is a German verb with several related meanings that share a common origin from the verb gehen (to go) with the separable prefix aus-. In finite forms the prefix is separated and placed at the end of the clause (for example, ich gehe aus, wir gehen aus). The participle form is ausgegangen, and the past tense in the perfect is formed with sein (ich bin ausgegangen).

The most common meaning is to go out, i.e., to leave one’s home to socialize or spend time away from home. This use is habitual in conversations about leisure activities, evenings in towns, bars, clubs, or visiting friends. For example: Wir gehen heute Abend aus. In this sense, it is often followed by expressions such as mit Freunden, in die Stadt, or ins Kino.

A second meaning concerns turning off or going off, especially of lights or electrical devices. In this sense, the verb describes a change of state rather than movement: Das Licht geht aus. Die Lichter gehen aus. The same form applies to a flame going out: Eine Kerze geht aus. In perfect, these usages take ist ausgegangen.

A related sense is to run out or become exhausted, used with things like money or supplies: Die Vorräte gehen aus. Das Geld geht uns aus. This sense shares the same phonetic form but different context and may not involve a physical exit.

Notes on usage: ausgehen is a separable phrasal verb, so in main clauses the prefix is separated (Wir gehen heute Abend aus). In infinitive or participle forms the base form is ausgehen or ausgegangen. The noun Ausgehen exists as well and refers to the activity of going out.