Before you start
Meet aufwachen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
auf- + wachen
- auf-
- into an active or changed state
- wachen
- to be awake
You move into the state of being awake.
So aufwachen means to wake 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·wachen
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 clauseAm Sonntag wache ich spät auf.On Sunday, I wake up late.
Subordinate clauseIch bin froh, weil ich früh aufwache.I am glad because I wake up early.
Participle: aufgewachtzu-infinitive: aufzuwachen
Forms
How aufwachen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | wache auf | wachte auf |
| du | wachst auf | wachtest auf |
| er/sie/es | wacht auf | wachte auf |
| wir | wachen auf | wachten auf |
| ihr | wacht auf | wachtet auf |
| Sie | wachen auf | wachten auf |
Partizip II aufgewacht · Perfekt with sein
Three examples
- 1Ich wache jeden Morgen früh auf.I wake up early every morning.present tense, prefix at end
- 2Heute bin ich um sechs aufgewacht.Today I woke up at six.Perfekt with sein
- 3Ich bin müde, wenn ich spät aufwache.I am tired when I wake up late.verb at the end after wenn
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
aufwachen + der Wecker
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Say that the alarm rings and you wake up.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I woke up latespät, so I missedverpassen the busder Bus.
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 was a childdas Kind, I woke up earlyfrüh every dayjeden Tag.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She woke up because the babydas Baby was cryingweinen.
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 wakes up earlyfrüh is 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:
I have to wake up earlyfrüh tomorrowmorgen because workdie Arbeit starts at six.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
It is difficultschwer for me to wake up earlyfrüh when it is darkdunkel.
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 wake up earlierfrüher if you went to bedins Bett gehen earlierfrüher?
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:
aufwachen + wenn + die Sonne
Your challenge
- 1Start with a wenn-clause.
- 2Put the verb at the end of that clause.
- 3Use the present tense.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
What time do you usually wake up on weekdays?
Your challenge
- 1Answer in one sentence using the present tense.
- 2Say what time you usually wake up.