Before you start
Meet aufsteigen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
auf- + steigen
- auf-
- upward or onto a higher position
- steigen
- to climb or rise
Climb upward into a higher position, or get up onto something.
So aufsteigen means to rise or ascend; to get on; to advance.
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 steigen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
Separable verb: auf·steigen
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 clauseMia steigt auf das Pferd auf.Mia gets on the horse.
Subordinate clause…, weil Mia auf das Pferd aufsteigt.…, because Mia gets on the horse.
Participle: aufgestiegenzu-infinitive: aufzusteigen
Forms
How aufsteigen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | steige auf | stieg auf |
| du | steigst auf | stiegst auf |
| er/sie/es | steigt auf | stieg auf |
| wir | steigen auf | stiegen auf |
| ihr | steigt auf | stiegt auf |
| Sie | steigen auf | stiegen auf |
Partizip II aufgestiegen · Perfekt with sein
Three examples
- 1Ich steige heute aufs Fahrrad auf.I’m getting on my bike today.getting on a bike
- 2Der Rauch ist schnell aufgestiegen.The smoke rose quickly.Perfekt with sein
- 3Du kannst auf das Pferd aufsteigen.You can get on the horse.modal verb with infinitive
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
aufsteigen + das Pferd
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Use das Pferd as the thing she gets on.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He got on the bikedas Fahrrad, and I helped him.
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 smokeder Rauch rose, we opened the windowdas Fenster.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
We opened the windowdas Fenster because smokeder Rauch was rising.
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 got on the horsedas Pferd is my neighbourder Nachbar, die Nachbarn.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She must get on the horsedas Pferd before it gets darkdunkel.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He tried to get on the horsedas Pferd without helpdie Hilfe.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Why is smokeder Rauch rising from the firedas Feuer?
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:
aufsteigen + das Pferd + obwohl
Your challenge
- 1Start with an obwohl-clause.
- 2Use the present tense.
- 3Say that he gets on the horse.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
Would you get on a horse? Answer in one German sentence.
Your challenge
- 1Answer with a sentence about yourself.
- 2Use aufsteigen in the Konjunktiv II.