aus|strecken
Translation
to stretch out, to extend, to hold out
Examples
Er streckte die Hand zur Begrüßung aus.
He held out his hand in greeting.
Die Katze streckt sich in der Sonne aus.
The cat is stretching out in the sun.
Streck die Zunge aus!
Stick out your tongue!
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) ausstrecken to stretch sth. out He stretched out his arms.
sich ausstrecken to stretch (oneself) The cat is stretching.
Similar Words
Synonyms: dehnen (to stretch), ausbreiten (to spread); Antonyms: einziehen (to retract), zusammenziehen (to contract)
Etymology
Composed of 'aus-' (out) and 'strecken' (to stretch). The literal meaning is 'to stretch out'.
Memory Tips
Imagine stretching 'out' ('aus') your hand to reach for something. The verb is a direct combination of its parts.