Before you start
Meet aufwachsen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
auf- + wachsen
- auf-
- upward, toward a higher or more developed state
- wachsen
- to grow
To grow upward and develop into an adult.
So aufwachsen means to grow 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·wachsen
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 clauseEr wächst bei seiner Oma auf.He is growing up at his grandma’s.
Subordinate clauseIch weiß, dass sie in Köln aufwächst.I know that she is growing up in Cologne.
Participle: aufgewachsenzu-infinitive: aufzuwachsen
Forms
How aufwachsen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | wachse auf | wuchs auf |
| du | wächst auf | wuchst auf |
| er/sie/es | wächst auf | wuchs auf |
| wir | wachsen auf | wuchsen auf |
| ihr | wachst auf | wuchst auf |
| Sie | wachsen auf | wuchsen auf |
Partizip II aufgewachsen · Perfekt with sein
Three examples
- 1Ich wachse in Berlin auf.I am growing up in Berlin.Present, prefix at the end
- 2Sie ist auf dem Land aufgewachsen.She grew up in the countryside.Perfekt with sein
- 3Weil er in Köln aufgewachsen ist, kennt er die Stadt gut.Because he grew up in Cologne, he knows the city well.Verb at the end after weil
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
auf·wachsen + die Stadt
Your challenge
- 1Use the Perfekt.
- 2Say where you grew up.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She grew up in a small towndie Kleinstadt.
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 littleklein, I grew up in a villagedas Dorf.
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Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He grew up in GermanyDeutschland because his motherdie Mutter worked there.
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Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The towndie Stadt where she grew up is nearin der Nähe von Berlin.
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Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The childrendas Kind, die Kinder can grow up here with their grandparentsdie Großeltern.
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Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
It is niceschön to grow up with brothers and sistersdie Geschwister.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Did you grow up with them in the samederselbe housedas Haus?
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:
auf·wachsen + die Kinder + dass
Your challenge
- 1Use a dass-clause.
- 2Put the target verb at the end of that clause.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
Where did you grow up? Answer in one German sentence.
Your challenge
- 1Answer with the Perfekt.
- 2Name the place where you grew up.