Before you start
Meet auflösen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
auf- + lösen
- auf-
- apart or open, undoing a whole
- lösen
- to loosen, untie
Something is loosened apart until it comes undone or disperses.
So auflösen means to dissolve; to resolve.
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 lösen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
Separable verb: auf·lösen
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 clauseSie löst den Zucker im Wasser auf.She dissolves the sugar in the water.
Subordinate clauseIch sehe, dass sie den Zucker im Wasser auflöst.I see that she is dissolving the sugar in the water.
Participle: aufgelöstzu-infinitive: aufzulösen
Forms
How auflösen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | löse auf | löste auf |
| du | löst auf | löstest auf |
| er/sie/es | löst auf | löste auf |
| wir | lösen auf | lösten auf |
| ihr | löst auf | löstet auf |
| Sie | lösen auf | lösten auf |
Partizip II aufgelöst · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich löse Zucker im Tee auf.I dissolve sugar in tea.prefix goes to the end
- 2Die Firma hat sich gestern aufgelöst.The company dissolved yesterday.Perfekt with haben
- 3Kannst du das Rätsel auflösen?Can you solve the mystery?infinitive after a modal
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
auf·lösen + der Zucker
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Say what dissolves der Zucker.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I dissolved it in hotheiß waterdas Wasser.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When the sugarder Zucker dissolved, we dranktrinken the teader Tee.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She dissolved the tabletdie Tablette in water because her sonder Sohn could not swallowschlucken it.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The problemdas Problem that we resolved yesterdaygestern has come backzurückkommen.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
We have to dissolve the sugarder Zucker before we makemachen the cakeder Kuchen.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He tried to dissolve the saltdas Salz in coldkalt waterdas Wasser.
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 dissolve this tabletdie Tablette for me?
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:
auf·lösen + das Problem + dass
Your challenge
- 1Use das Problem in a dass-clause.
- 2Use auf·lösen reflexively.
- 3Put the conjugated verb at the end of the clause.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
What would you like to dissolve in water?
Your challenge
- 1Answer in one sentence using auf·lösen.
- 2Name something you would like to dissolve in water.