Before you start
Meet auftragen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
auf- + tragen
- auf-
- onto a surface or outward, depending on context
- tragen
- to carry
You carry or lay something onto a surface; in other uses, you bring a dish to the table or place a task on someone.
So auftragen means to apply; to serve (food); to assign.
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 tragen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
Separable verb: auf·tragen
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 tragen die Butter dünn auf.We spread the butter thinly.
Subordinate clauseEr bleibt drinnen, weil er die Creme aufträgt.He stays inside because he is applying the cream.
Participle: aufgetragenzu-infinitive: aufzutragen
Forms
How auftragen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | trage auf | trug auf |
| du | trägst auf | trugst auf |
| er/sie/es | trägt auf | trug auf |
| wir | tragen auf | trugen auf |
| ihr | tragt auf | trugt auf |
| Sie | tragen auf | trugen auf |
Partizip II aufgetragen · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich trage jeden Morgen Creme auf.I apply cream every morning.apply cream
- 2Sie hat das Essen aufgetragen.She served the food.Perfekt with haben
- 3Sie sagt, dass ich ihm die Arbeit auftragen soll.She says I should assign him the work.verb at the end after dass
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
auftragen + die Creme
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Use die Creme as the thing you apply.
- 3Say where you apply it.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I put it on this morningheute Morgen.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She served them dinnerdas Abendessen when the guestsder Gast, die Gäste arrivedankommen.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He gave her an extra jobdie zusätzliche Aufgabe because she was newneu.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The cakeder Kuchen that you served us was very goodsehr gut.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I have to put this creamdie Creme on twice a dayzweimal am Tag.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She gave me a taskdie Aufgabe to practiseüben the newneu wordsdas Wort, die Wörter.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Would you serve us the soupdie Suppe nowjetzt?
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:
auftragen + das Essen + obwohl
Your challenge
- 1Use das Essen as the thing served.
- 2Include an obwohl-clause.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
What task has someone assigned you recently?
Your challenge
- 1Answer in one German sentence using auftragen.
- 2Say who assigned you a task and what it was.