auszudenken

Auszudenken is the infinitive form of the German verb ausdenken, meaning to think up, devise, imagine, or contrive something. The prefix aus- adds the sense of producing or producing out of one’s mind, often involving planning or inventing.

Etymology and meaning: The verb combines prefix aus- with denken (to think). It is used for creating ideas, stories, plans, explanations, or excuses in one’s mind. The nuance ranges from neutral to evaluative, depending on the context.

Grammar and usage: Ausdenken is a separable verb in finite forms. In present tense: ich denke mir etwas aus, du denkst dir etwas aus, wir denken uns eine Lösung aus. The corresponding past tense periphrase uses ausgedacht: ich habe mir etwas ausgedacht. The infinitive form with zu is auszudenken, used after certain verbs or adjectives, as in Es ist schwer, sich etwas auszudenken (It’s hard to think up something). The verb is typically used with reflexive pronouns (mir/mich/uns) when the thought is directed toward oneself or a shared goal: Wir müssen uns eine Lösung ausdenken.

Examples: eine Geschichte ausdenken (to think up a story), eine Ausrede ausdenken (to come up with an excuse), einen Plan ausdenken (to devise a plan). The construction allows both neutral and negative connotations, depending on what is being thought up and for whom.

See also: denken; ausdenken; ausgedacht.