ausgestiegen

Ausgestiegen is the past participle of the German verb aussteigen, meaning to exit, disembark, or withdraw. It is used with the auxiliary sein to form perfect tenses, and it can function as an adjective meaning “withdrawn” or “former” when used attributively or predicatively.

Etymology: The word combines aus- (out) with steigen (to climb or rise). The prefix conveys separation, either physically from a vehicle or location, or metaphorically from a group, project, or organization.

Usage: In everyday German, ausgestiegen describes both literal disembarkation and figurative withdrawal. Examples: Ich bin am Bahnhof ausgestiegen (I got off at the station). Er ist aus der Partei ausgestiegen (He left the party). As an attributive adjective: ein ausgestiegener Politiker (a former/withdrawn politician).

Grammar: The perfect tense uses sein: Ich bin ausgestiegen. The simple past is stieg aus: Er stieg aus dem Auto aus. This separable-prefix verb splits in main clauses (Ich steige aus dem Bus aus) but forms a single participle in the perfect: ausgestiegen. In subordinate clauses, the prefix typically remains attached to the verb when the verb is conjugated.

See also: Ausstieg (exit), Aussteiger (one who leaves or withdraws), Aussteigen as a general concept of departure or withdrawal in German.