German Phrase
Geh zuerst raus.
Meaning
A direct, informal command telling someone to go outside or leave a place before anything else happens. It is concise and often used in everyday situations where speed or order matters.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want a friend, a child, or a colleague to exit a room, a building, or a line before you or before another action takes place – for example, before a meeting starts, before you close a door, or when you’re leaving a party and want others to follow.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Gehzuerstraus
Imperative (du)
‘Geh’ is the du‑imperative of the verb gehen, used for informal commands.
Adverb ‘zuerst’
‘zuerst’ means ‘first’ and usually stands directly before the verb or the phrase it modifies.
Colloquial ‘raus’
‘raus’ is the short, spoken form of ‘heraus’/‘nach draußen’, meaning ‘out’.
🗨In Conversation
Geh zuerst raus.
Go out first.
Okay, ich komme gleich.
Okay, I’ll be right out.
✕Common Mistakes
Geh zuerst rausen.
‘rausen’ does not exist; the correct colloquial form is ‘raus’. Use the verb ‘rausgehen’ if you need a full verb.
Geh zuerst gehen raus.
The adverb should be placed before the verb or the whole phrase, not split between them.
Geh zuerst rausen.
Adding ‘-en’ to ‘raus’ creates a non‑existent verb form.
↔Alternatives
Verlasse zuerst den Raum.
Leave the room first.
Geh zuerst nach draußen.
Go outside first.
Geh zuerst hinaus.
Go out first.
Cultural Tip
‘Geh’ is only appropriate with people you address with du. In a formal setting you would say ‘Gehen Sie zuerst raus.’ Also, ‘raus’ is colloquial; in written or formal speech you’d use ‘heraus’ or ‘nach draußen’. The word order can be switched – ‘Zuerst geh raus.’ – but the version shown is the most natural in spoken German.