Before you start
Meet aufrichten
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
auf- + richten
- auf-
- upward, into an upright position
- richten
- to direct or set in position
Richten something upward into position, making it upright.
So aufrichten means to straighten up or set upright.
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 richten
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
Separable verb: auf·richten
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 clauseWir richten das Schild auf.We put the sign upright.
Subordinate clauseIch helfe dir, weil du den Tisch aufrichtest.I’ll help you because you are setting the table upright.
Participle: aufgerichtetzu-infinitive: aufzurichten
Forms
How aufrichten changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | richte auf | richtete auf |
| du | richtest auf | richtetest auf |
| er/sie/es | richtet auf | richtete auf |
| wir | richten auf | richteten auf |
| ihr | richtet auf | richtetet auf |
| Sie | richten auf | richteten auf |
Partizip II aufgerichtet · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich richte den Stuhl auf.I set the chair upright.prefix goes to the end
- 2Sie hat sich nach dem Spiel aufgerichtet.She straightened up after the game.Perfekt with haben
- 3Er bleibt liegen, weil er sich nicht aufrichten kann.He stays lying down because he cannot sit up.verb at the end after weil
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
aufrichten + der Stuhl
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Use der Stuhl as the object.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He has straightened it up.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When she fellfallen, her brotherder Bruder helped her up.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I straightened up because my backder Rücken hurtwehtun.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The chairder Stuhl that Dad stood up is in the kitchendie Küche.
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 straighten up after sitting for a long timelange.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She triedversuchen to set the picturedas Bild upright on the tableder Tisch.
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 straighten up a littleein wenig?
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:
aufrichten + obwohl + der Rücken
Your challenge
- 1Start with an obwohl-clause.
- 2Say that his back hurt.
- 3Use the target verb in the simple past.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
When do you need to straighten yourself up? Answer in one German sentence.
Your challenge
- 1Answer with a wenn-clause.
- 2Use the target verb in the present tense.