Language is a minefield. You think you’re just asking someone to leave the room, but suddenly the air gets cold, and you’ve managed to offend three generations of their family. Knowing how to say get out in German isn't just about vocabulary; it’s about reading the room. German is a language that loves precision, and it has about a dozen different ways to show someone the door, ranging from a polite request to a verbal sledgehammer. If you use the wrong one at a dinner party, you aren't coming back.
The "Raus" Factor: Why Context is Everything
Most beginners learn the word raus. It's short. It's punchy. It’s also incredibly aggressive if you don't use it right.
Technically, raus is just a shortened version of hinaus or heraus. It means "out." But if you bark "Raus!" at someone, you’re basically treating them like a misbehaving Schnauzer. It's the linguistic equivalent of a shove. You’ll hear it in movies, usually yelled by a stern figure in a uniform, but in real life? Use it sparingly.
If you’re actually looking for how to say get out in German in a way that doesn't end in a HR meeting, you have to look at the verb gehen. Gehen Sie bitte is the formal, "Please go" version. It’s stiff. It’s awkward. But it’s safe.
When You Need Them to Leave Your House
Suppose you’ve had a long night. The beer is gone, the Currywurst is a memory, and your guest just won’t take the hint. You don't want to be a jerk, but you want your bed.
This is where the nuance of rausschmeißen comes in. Literally, it means "to throw out." You wouldn't say this to the person, but you might tell your partner, "Ich werde ihn rausschmeißen müssen" (I’m going to have to kick him out).
For a direct, firm, but not necessarily "I want to punch you" approach, try: "Könnten Sie bitte gehen?" (Could you please go?). It uses the Konjunktiv II—the "could/would" form. Germans love this for softening the blow. It’s like putting a velvet glove over a brick.
👉 See also: Why the Man Black Hair Blue Eyes Combo is So Rare (and the Genetics Behind It)
The Most Common Phrases You'll Actually Use
Verschwinde!
This is the "Get lost!" or "Go away!" of the German world. It’s informal. It’s rude. It’s perfect for when someone is bothering you on the street or won't leave you alone at a bar. It comes from the verb verschwinden, which means "to disappear." Basically, you're telling them to vanish into thin air.Hau ab!
This is arguably the most common way to say how to say get out in German in a casual, heated context. It literally translates to "chop off," though that makes no sense in English. Think of it as "Beat it!" or "Buzz off!" It’s punchy. It’s very German. It’s what teenagers say to their siblings.Verpiss dich!
Okay, let's be real. Sometimes you need the "nuclear" option. This is the equivalent of "Piss off" or the more vulgar F-word variation. Use this, and you are burning a bridge. You are probably starting a physical altercation. It is vulgar, direct, and leaves zero room for misinterpretation. Use it only when safety is a concern or the situation has devolved into total chaos.
The Subtle Art of "Hinausbegleiten"
There is a beautiful, overly long German word for "to escort someone out": hinausbegleiten.
Imagine you’re at a high-end gallery or a fancy restaurant. Security won't tell you to "Hau ab." They will say, "Wir müssen Sie leider hinausbegleiten" (Unfortunately, we must accompany you out). It’s the ultimate polite "Get out." It sounds like they’re doing you a favor, but they’re definitely kicking you to the curb.
Why "Weg" Matters
You can also use the word weg, which just means "away."
✨ Don't miss: Chuck E. Cheese in Boca Raton: Why This Location Still Wins Over Parents
- Geh weg! (Go away!)
- Bleib weg! (Stay away!)
These are simpler. They don't have the same "theatrical" weight as verschwinde, but they get the job done. If you’re a tourist and someone is getting too close to your bag, a sharp "Gehen Sie weg!" is perfectly acceptable. It’s clear. It’s firm. It doesn't require a C1 level of German to pronounce.
Cultural Differences in "Directness"
People always talk about how Germans are direct. This is true, but it’s often misunderstood. Directness doesn't mean they're always rude. In German culture, being "clear" is seen as being "honest."
If a German tells you, "Ich möchte jetzt allein sein" (I want to be alone now), they aren't necessarily mad. They just... want to be alone. In English, we’d couch that in ten layers of "I’ve had such a great time, but I’m getting a bit tired, maybe we should..." A German will just skip to the end.
So, if someone says how to say get out in German to you by saying "Ich muss jetzt schlafen, bitte gehen Sie," don't take it personally. They’re just being efficient.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't mix up raus and draußen. Raus is the movement (going out), draußen is the location (being outside). If you yell "Draußen!" at someone, you’re just shouting "Outside!" like a confused weather reporter.
Also, watch your pronouns. If you're yelling at a stranger, you might still use the formal Sie even while being rude—though usually, once you're at the "Get out" stage, formal etiquette has already left the building.
🔗 Read more: The Betta Fish in Vase with Plant Setup: Why Your Fish Is Probably Miserable
Practice These Real-World Scenarios
If you find yourself in a situation where you need to know how to say get out in German, identify the "danger level" of the interaction.
Level 1: The Overstayed Guest.
"Es war schön, aber ich muss jetzt wirklich Schluss machen." (It was nice, but I really have to wrap things up now.) This is the polite, social way to signal the exit.Level 2: The Annoying Colleague.
"Ich habe gerade keine Zeit, könntest du bitte gehen?" (I don't have time right now, could you please leave?) It’s professional but leaves no doubt.Level 3: The Threatening Stranger.
"Lassen Sie mich in Ruhe und gehen Sie weg!" (Leave me alone and go away!) Use the formal Sie here to maintain a distance and signal to bystanders that you do not know this person.Level 4: The Total Breakout.
"Raus! Jetzt!" (Out! Now!) This is for emergencies or when you've reached your absolute limit.
Actionable Steps for Mastering the Exit
To truly get comfortable with these phrases, you need to hear the intonation. German isn't just about the words; it's about the "Stimmfall" (the way your voice falls).
- Watch German TV Shows: Look for "Tatort" (the classic crime show). You will hear every variation of "Get out" imaginable, usually during an interrogation or a chase scene.
- Practice the "Ich-Botschaft": Instead of just saying "Get out," learn to say "I need you to leave." It sounds less like a command and more like a personal requirement.
- Learn the "Doch": Sometimes someone won't leave. You say "Gehen Sie," they say "Nein," and you hit them with "Doch!" (Yes, you will!). It’s the ultimate German argumentative tool.
Understanding how to say get out in German is about more than just booting someone from a room. It’s about boundaries. Whether you’re being a polite host or a person standing your ground, the right words make all the difference. Start with the "could you" forms—they’ll get you much further in life than the "piss off" forms, unless you're looking for a fight.
Next time you’re in Berlin or Munich and the vibe gets weird, you’ll know exactly which "out" to pull from your pocket. Just remember: keep it firm, keep it clear, and if all else fails, "Hau ab" usually does the trick.