Before you start
Meet aufschlagen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
auf- + schlagen
- auf-
- open or upward, depending on context
- schlagen
- to hit or strike
You strike something open, or strike down onto a surface.
So aufschlagen means to open (for example, a book) or to strike/hit.
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 schlagen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
Separable verb: auf·schlagen
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 schlagen das Zelt auf.We pitch the tent.
Subordinate clauseIch helfe, weil du das Buch aufschlägst.I’m helping because you’re opening the book.
Participle: aufgeschlagenzu-infinitive: aufzuschlagen
Forms
How aufschlagen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | schlage auf | schlug auf |
| du | schlägst auf | schlugst auf |
| er/sie/es | schlägt auf | schlug auf |
| wir | schlagen auf | schlugen auf |
| ihr | schlagt auf | schlugt auf |
| Sie | schlagen auf | schlugen auf |
Partizip II aufgeschlagen · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich schlage das Buch auf.I open the book.prefix goes to the end
- 2Sie hat ein Ei aufgeschlagen.She cracked an egg.Perfekt with haben
- 3Wir bleiben hier, wenn wir das Zelt aufschlagen.We’ll stay here when we pitch the tent.verb at the end after wenn
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
aufschlagen + das Buch
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Use das Buch as the object.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I opened it after dinnerdas Abendessen.
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 got homenach Hause kommen, I opened the bookdas Buch, die Bücher.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She opened the newspaperdie Zeitung, die Zeitungen because she wanted to readlesen it.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The bookdas Buch, die Bücher that he opened was very oldalt.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Can you open the mapdie Karte, die Karten for me?
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He forgotvergessen to open his bookdas Buch, die Bücher before classder Unterricht.
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 he hitschlagen the tableder Tisch, die Tische with his handdie Hand, die Hände?
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:
aufschlagen + die Zeitung + obwohl
Your challenge
- 1Start with an obwohl-clause.
- 2Put that clause's verb at the end.
- 3Use die Zeitung as the object.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
When do you usually open a book? Answer in one German sentence.
Your challenge
- 1Answer with one sentence using the target verb.
- 2Use a wenn-clause to say when.