German Phrase
Richte die Karte mit dem Kompass aus.
Meaning
The sentence tells someone to line up or align a map using a compass, a typical instruction when navigating in the outdoors. It implies rotating the map until the north direction on the map matches the magnetic north indicated by the compass.
When to use
Use this phrase when giving navigation instructions during hiking, orienteering, or any situation where a map and compass are used together. It’s common among guides, friends on a trek, or in a classroom setting teaching map reading.
✦Grammar Breakdown
RichtedieKartemitdemKompassaus
Imperativ von trennbaren Verben
‘Richte … aus’ is the imperative of the separable verb ‘ausrichten’. In the command the prefix ‘aus’ moves to the end of the clause.
Akkusativobjekt
‘die Karte’ is the direct object and therefore in the accusative case.
Präposition ‘mit’ + Dativ
The preposition ‘mit’ always governs the dative case, so ‘dem Kompass’ is dative.
Artikelwahl
‘die’ (accusative feminine) and ‘dem’ (dative masculine/neuter) are the correct articles for ‘Karte’ and ‘Kompass’ in this sentence.
🗨In Conversation
Richte die Karte mit dem Kompass aus.
Align the map with the compass.
Okay, ich drehe die Karte, bis der Nordpfeil mit dem Magneten übereinstimmt.
Okay, I’ll turn the map until the north arrow matches the magnet.
✕Common Mistakes
Richten die Karte mit dem Kompass aus.
‘Richten’ is the infinitive; the command needs the imperative ‘Richte’.
Richte der Karte mit dem Kompass aus.
‘Karte’ is the direct object and must be accusative ‘die Karte’, not dative ‘der Karte’.
Richte die Karte mit dem Kompasses aus.
The preposition ‘mit’ requires dative, so the correct form is ‘dem Kompass’, not the genitive ‘Kompasses’.
↔Alternatives
Stelle die Karte nach dem Kompass ein.
Set the map according to the compass.
Richte die Karte nach dem Kompass aus.
Align the map after the compass.
Justiere die Karte mit dem Kompass.
Adjust the map with the compass.
Cultural Tip
In German‑speaking hiking culture, using a compass together with a topographic map is considered essential knowledge. The imperative ‘Richte … aus’ sounds direct; adding ‘bitte’ (Richte die Karte bitte … aus) makes it polite. Remember that ‘ausrichten’ is a separable verb, so the prefix always moves to the end of the clause in main sentences.