Before you start
Meet aufbewahren
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
auf- + bewahren
- auf-
- put away or set aside for safekeeping
- bewahren
- to preserve or keep
Preserve something by putting it away for later.
So aufbewahren means to keep, store, or preserve.
A memory aid, not a rule: prefixes change meaning from verb to verb.
Learning approach inspired by this explanation in r/German.
Separable verb: auf·bewahren
In a main clause the prefix auf splits off and goes to the end. After weil, dass and other subordinating words, the verb stays in one piece at the end.
Main clauseEr bewahrt seine Schuhe im Flur auf.He keeps his shoes in the hallway.
Subordinate clauseSie lächelt, weil sie die Karte aufbewahrt.She smiles because she is keeping the card.
Participle: aufbewahrtzu-infinitive: aufzubewahren
Forms
How aufbewahren changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | bewahre auf | bewahrte auf |
| du | bewahrst auf | bewahrtest auf |
| er/sie/es | bewahrt auf | bewahrte auf |
| wir | bewahren auf | bewahrten auf |
| ihr | bewahrt auf | bewahrtet auf |
| Sie | bewahren auf | bewahrten auf |
Partizip II aufbewahrt · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich bewahre meine alten Briefe auf.I keep my old letters.present, prefix at end
- 2Wir haben das Essen im Kühlschrank aufbewahrt.We stored the food in the fridge.Perfekt with haben
- 3Du brauchst eine Tasche, weil du das Brot aufbewahrst.You need a bag because you are storing the bread.verb at the end after weil
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
aufbewahren + der Brief
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Use der Brief as the object.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I have kept it in the drawerdie Schublade.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When we travelreisen, I keep our passportsder Pass, die Pässe in this bagdie Tasche.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She keeps the photosdas Foto, die Fotos because they are importantwichtig to her.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The boxdie Kiste that my father keeps in the kitchendie Küche is oldalt.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
We must keep the fooddas Essen coolkühl.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He keeps the moneydas Geld to buy a bikedas Fahrrad laterspäter.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Where would you keep these keysder Schlüssel, die Schlüssel?
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 9 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
aufbewahren + die Karte + obwohl
Your challenge
- 1Start with an obwohl-clause.
- 2Use a pronoun for die Karte as the object.
- 3Use the present tense.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
What do you keep from your childhood?
Your challenge
- 1Answer in one sentence using aufbewahren.
- 2Name something you keep from your childhood.