Before you start
Meet aufheben
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
auf- + heben
- auf-
- upward, from a lower position
- heben
- to lift
Lift something up from where it lies, or lift it aside to keep it for later.
So aufheben means to pick up; to keep or save.
A memory aid, not a rule: prefixes change meaning from verb to verb.
Learning approach inspired by this explanation in r/German.
Verb family
More verbs built on heben
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
Separable verb: auf·heben
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 clauseWir heben die Tasche auf.We pick up the bag.
Subordinate clause..., weil du das Geld aufhebst...., because you keep the money.
Participle: aufgehobenzu-infinitive: aufzuheben
Forms
How aufheben changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | hebe auf | hob auf |
| du | hebst auf | hobst auf |
| er/sie/es | hebt auf | hob auf |
| wir | heben auf | hoben auf |
| ihr | hebt auf | hobt auf |
| Sie | heben auf | hoben auf |
Partizip II aufgehoben · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich hebe das Buch auf.I pick up the book.prefix goes to the end
- 2Sie hat den alten Brief aufgehoben.She kept the old letter.Perfekt with haben
- 3..., weil er das Glas aufhebt...., because he picks up the glass.verb at the end after weil
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
aufheben + der Schlüssel
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Use der Schlüssel as the object.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I picked it up because it was on the floorder Boden.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When I foundfinden the keyder Schlüssel, I picked it up.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She kept the ticketdie Fahrkarte, die Fahrkarten because she wanted to showzeigen it to him.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The paperdas Papier that he picked up was wetnass.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
You must keep the receiptder Kassenbon, die Kassenbons for the shopder Laden.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She is tryingversuchen to save some moneydas Geld for laterspäter.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Could you pick up my bagdie Tasche from the floorder Boden?
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:
aufheben + das Papier + obwohl
Your challenge
- 1Start with an obwohl-clause.
- 2Use das Papier as the object.
- 3Put the verb at the end of the subordinate clause.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
What do you keep for later?
Your challenge
- 1Answer with a wenn-clause about something you save for later.
- 2Use the target verb in the main clause.