Before you start
Meet auflegen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
auf- + legen
- auf-
- onto a surface or into an active position
- legen
- to lay or place
You place something onto a surface—or set it in position to be used.
So auflegen means to put on (music); to hang up; to publish.
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 legen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
Separable verb: auf·legen
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 legt das Buch auf den Tisch.He puts the book on the table.
Subordinate clauseIch weiß, dass sie Musik auflegt.I know that she puts on music.
Participle: aufgelegtzu-infinitive: aufzulegen
Forms
How auflegen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | lege auf | legte auf |
| du | legst auf | legtest auf |
| er/sie/es | legt auf | legte auf |
| wir | legen auf | legten auf |
| ihr | legt auf | legtet auf |
| Sie | legen auf | legten auf |
Partizip II aufgelegt · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich lege Musik auf.I put on music.prefix goes to the end
- 2Sie hat gestern aufgelegt.She hung up yesterday.Perfekt with haben
- 3Wenn du Musik auflegst, tanzen wir.When you put on music, we dance.verb at the end after wenn
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
auflegen + der Hörer
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Use der Hörer as the object.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I played musicdie Musik for her.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When she calledanrufen, I hung up immediatelysofort.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He hung up because he was angrywütend.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The man who put on the musicdie Musik was my brother.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She has to put on a recorddie Platte for the guestsder Gast, die Gäste.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He triesversuchen to play musicdie Musik in the eveningder Abend.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Why did you hang up on me?
Task 9 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
auflegen + der Hörer + obwohl
Your challenge
- 1Start with an obwohl-clause.
- 2Use the simple past in the main clause.
- 3Say that she hung up the phone.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
When do you usually hang up the phone?
Your challenge
- 1Answer in one sentence using the present tense.
- 2Say when you usually hang up.