Before you start
Meet aufräumen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
auf- + räumen
- auf-
- toward a completed, orderly state
- räumen
- to clear or make space
Clear the space until it is orderly.
So aufräumen means to tidy up; to clear up.
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 räumen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
Separable verb: auf·räumen
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 räumt den Tisch auf.She clears the table.
Subordinate clauseIch helfe dir, weil du aufräumst.I help you because you are tidying up.
Participle: aufgeräumtzu-infinitive: aufzuräumen
Forms
How aufräumen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | räume auf | räumte auf |
| du | räumst auf | räumtest auf |
| er/sie/es | räumt auf | räumte auf |
| wir | räumen auf | räumten auf |
| ihr | räumt auf | räumtet auf |
| Sie | räumen auf | räumten auf |
Partizip II aufgeräumt · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich räume mein Zimmer auf.I tidy my room.prefix goes to the end
- 2Wir haben nach dem Essen aufgeräumt.We tidied up after the meal.Perfekt with haben
- 3Wenn du aufräumst, findest du deine Schuhe.When you tidy up, you find your shoes.verb at the end after wenn
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
aufräumen + das Zimmer
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Say that you tidy das Zimmer.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I tidied it up 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 the guestsder Gast, die Gäste arrived, we quicklyschnell tidied the living roomdas Wohnzimmer.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She tidies her roomdas Zimmer because her friendsder Freund, die Freunde are coming.
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Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The roomdas Zimmer that we tidied yesterdaygestern looks muchviel biggergroß nowjetzt.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I have to tidy it up before my mother comes homenach Hause.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He tidies his deskder Schreibtisch every eveningjeden Abend to find his booksdas Buch, die Bücher quicklyschnell.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Did you tidy up for them before they arrivedankommen?
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:
aufräumen + das Zimmer + dass
Your challenge
- 1Use a dass-clause.
- 2Use the present tense.
- 3Say that your sister tidies das Zimmer.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
What do you usually tidy at home?
Your challenge
- 1Answer in one sentence.
- 2Use the present tense.
- 3Say what you usually tidy at home.