Before you start
Meet auftauchen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
auf- + tauchen
- auf-
- upward, toward the surface
- tauchen
- to dive
Something diving comes back up to the surface.
So auftauchen means to surface; to appear or turn up.
A memory aid, not a rule: prefixes change meaning from verb to verb.
Learning approach inspired by this explanation in r/German.
Separable verb: auf·tauchen
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 clausePlötzlich taucht ein alter Freund auf.Suddenly, an old friend appears.
Subordinate clauseSie glaubt, dass ihr Hund wieder auftaucht.She thinks her dog will turn up again.
Participle: aufgetauchtzu-infinitive: aufzutauchen
Forms
How auftauchen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | tauche auf | tauchte auf |
| du | tauchst auf | tauchtest auf |
| er/sie/es | taucht auf | tauchte auf |
| wir | tauchen auf | tauchten auf |
| ihr | taucht auf | tauchtet auf |
| Sie | tauchen auf | tauchten auf |
Partizip II aufgetaucht · Perfekt with sein
Three examples
- 1Mein Schlüssel taucht wieder auf.My key turns up again.present, prefix at the end
- 2Der Fisch ist plötzlich aufgetaucht.The fish suddenly appeared.Perfekt with sein
- 3Ich hoffe, dass der Fisch bald auftaucht.I hope the fish appears soon.verb at the end after dass
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
auftauchen + der Schlüssel
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He appeared suddenlyplötzlich at the doordie Tür.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When she arrivedankommen, her brotherder Bruder suddenlyplötzlich appeared.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
We stayedbleiben insidedrinnen because a mousedie Maus appeared in the kitchendie Küche.
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 appeared at our housedas Haus was my neighborder Nachbar.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
You can appear at the partydie Party without an invitationdie Einladung.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He plansplanen to show up earlyfrüh.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Where did the catdie Katze appear?
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:
auftauchen + der Regenbogen + obwohl
Your challenge
- 1Start with an obwohl-clause.
- 2Use the simple past for the appearance.
- 3Add a main clause about taking a photo.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
When did something you had lost turn up?
Your challenge
- 1Answer with one sentence in the Perfekt.
- 2Say what turned up and when.