Before you start
Meet aufreißen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
auf- + reißen
- auf-
- open, from a closed state
- reißen
- to tear
Tear something so that it opens.
So aufreißen means to tear open; to rip open.
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 reißen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
Separable verb: auf·reißen
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 reißt die Tüte auf.He tears open the bag.
Subordinate clauseIch bleibe hier, weil sie den Brief aufreißt.I stay here because she is tearing open the letter.
Participle: aufgerissenzu-infinitive: aufzureißen
Forms
How aufreißen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | reiße auf | riss auf |
| du | reißt auf | rissest auf |
| er/sie/es | reißt auf | riss auf |
| wir | reißen auf | rissen auf |
| ihr | reißt auf | risst auf |
| Sie | reißen auf | rissen auf |
Partizip II aufgerissen · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich reiße den Brief auf.I tear open the letter.prefix goes to the end
- 2Das Kind hat das Geschenk aufgerissen.The child tore open the present.Perfekt with haben
- 3Sie lacht, weil er die Tür aufreißt.She laughs because he tears the door open.verb at the end after weil
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
aufreißen + der Brief
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Use der Brief as the thing being opened.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She tore it open.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When he tore the bagdie Tüte open, everyonealle looked atansehen him.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She was angrysauer because he tore the letter open.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The letterder Brief that he tore open was for his motherdie Mutter.
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 not tear the bagdie Tüte open.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He triedversuchen to tear the boxder Karton open.
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 tear the letterder Brief open?
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:
aufreißen + der Brief + obwohl
Your challenge
- 1Start with an obwohl-clause.
- 2Use the simple past for aufreißen.
- 3Replace der Brief with an accusative pronoun.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
When do you usually tear a package open? Answer in one German sentence.
Your challenge
- 1Answer with a wenn-clause.
- 2Use the present tense and aufreißen.