adverb
outside, outdoors
B1
Außen means 'outside' or 'outdoors'. It's a local adverb indicating outer location, opposite of 'innen'. Common in descriptions of exterior parts ('außen am Haus') and in contrasts ('außen ... innen ...'). Not reflexive; no special preposition required, although often used with locative prepositions for clarity.
Examples
Das Haus wurde außen gestrichen, damit die Feuchtigkeit besser abgewehrt werden konnte.
The house was painted on the outside so that moisture could be kept out better.
Die Kinder spielen außen im Garten.
The children are playing outside in the garden.
Bitte bleiben Sie außen, bis Sie aufgerufen werden.
Please wait outdoors until you are called.
Details
Mnemonics
Imagine a door opening to reveal the outside world with a big sign 'außen'.
Sounds like 'ow-sen' — think 'out-sen' meaning out of the building.
Notes
'außen' is used to indicate location outside something. Don't confuse with 'außer' (except).