Before you start
Meet aufpassen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
auf- + passen
- auf-
- alertly watchful, with attention directed toward something
- passen
- to fit or suit
You stay alert to make sure things fit the situation or that nothing goes wrong.
So aufpassen means to pay attention; to watch over or look after.
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 passen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
Separable verb: auf·passen
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 passt auf ihren Bruder auf.She looks after her brother.
Subordinate clauseIch bleibe hier, weil du auf das Essen aufpasst.I’ll stay here because you’re watching the food.
Participle: aufgepasstzu-infinitive: aufzupassen
Forms
How aufpassen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | passe auf | passte auf |
| du | passt auf | passtest auf |
| er/sie/es | passt auf | passte auf |
| wir | passen auf | passten auf |
| ihr | passt auf | passtet auf |
| Sie | passen auf | passten auf |
Partizip II aufgepasst · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich passe im Unterricht gut auf.I pay close attention in class.prefix goes to the end
- 2Wir haben auf das Kind aufgepasst.We looked after the child.Perfekt with haben
- 3Du musst im Bus aufpassen.You have to pay attention on the bus.infinitive after a modal verb
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
aufpassen + der Verkehr
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Use der Verkehr with aufpassen.
- 3Put the separable verb parts in the correct places.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I looked afterto look after him yesterdaygestern.
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 was littleklein, my sisterdie Schwester looked after me.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
We stayed insidezu Hause bleiben because Dadder Papa looked after the babydas Baby.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The mander Mann who looks after our dogder Hund lives next doornebenan wohnen.
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 watch the childrendas Kind, die Kinder while I cookkochen.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I tryversuchen to watch my bagdie Tasche carefullygut on the trainder Zug.
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 watch my dogder Hund tomorrowmorgen?
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:
aufpassen + dass + der Herd
Your challenge
- 1Use aufpassen in the present tense.
- 2Include a dass-clause.
- 3Put the conjugated verb at the end of that clause.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
Who do you look after, and when? Answer in one German sentence using *aufpassen*.
Your challenge
- 1Answer with one sentence using aufpassen.
- 2Say who you look after and when.