Verb

aus|beuten

to exploit, to take advantage of, to mine, to harvest

Die Firma beutet die Arbeiter aus.

The company exploits the workers.

Das Land beutet seine Rohstoffe aus.

The country exploits its raw materials.

((j-n/et4)) ((ausbeuten)) to exploit sb./sth. The country exploits its natural resources.

Synonyms: ausnutzen (to use), missbrauchen (to abuse); Antonyms: fördern (to support), schützen (to protect)

From 'aus-' (out, completely) and 'Beute' (booty, prey). The idea is to take all the 'booty' out of something, hence 'to exploit'.

Imagine taking all the 'booty' ('Beute') 'out' ('aus') of a mine or from a person, leaving nothing behind. This is exploitation.

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