aufmuntern
/ˈʔaʊ̯fmʊntɐn/
To cheer up in German is aufmuntern. Wiktionary also lists ermuntern and erheitern.
Meaning: to make someone happy (verb)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| aufmuntern | /ˈʔaʊ̯fmʊntɐn/ |
| ermuntern | /ɛʁˈmʊntɐn/ |
| erheitern | [ɛɐ̯ˈhaɪ̯tɐn] (narrow) |
You can also use the related expression Kopf hoch! as an idiomatic way to tell someone to cheer up or keep their chin up when facing a setback. Another informal way to offer this encouragement is to say Lass den Mut nicht sinken, which means 'Don't lose courage.'
What does it mean word for word?
The verb aufmuntern is composed of the prefix auf- (up/on) and muntern (cheerful/alert).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
aufmuntern is a separable verb. In a simple main clause, the prefix auf moves to the end: Ich muntere ihn auf. The past participle of aufmuntern is aufgemuntert.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʔaʊ̯fmʊntɐn/
When do people say it?
You might use the informal idiom Kopf hoch! to encourage them to stay positive despite a setback.
Did you know?
- While aufmuntern is common, the verb erheitern comes from the word heiter, which describes a 'bright' or 'clear' sky, suggesting that cheering someone up is like clearing the clouds from their mind.
- The German word munter can be used as a greeting to someone who has just woken up, meaning 'wide awake' rather than just 'happy'.
- The Old High German ancestor of ermuntern was the verb irmuntaren, showing the word has been used in a similar way for over a millennium.
Examples in context
- Wir sollen Eva ermuntern.We should cheer up Eva.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of ermuntern.
- Ich muss meine Schwester aufmuntern.I must cheer up my sister.
- Deine Witze können ihn schnell aufmuntern.Your jokes can cheer him up quickly.
Example conversation
Felix and Julia are talking about their friend' much sadness.
- FelixMax ist heute sehr traurig.Max is very sad today.
- JuliaWir sollten ihn gemeinsam aufmuntern.We should cheer him up together.
- FelixDas ist eine gute Idee, Julia.That is a good idea, Julia.
- JuliaIch bringe ihm Schokolade mit.I will bring him some chocolate.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cheer up” translations and entries aufmuntern, ermuntern, erheitern, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aufmuntern, erheitern, ermuntern, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
