aufstehen
/ˈʔaufˌʃteːən/
The German phrase for "get up" is aufstehen.
aufstehen is used to describe rising from a bed or a seated position. It can also be used figuratively to describe a movement or protest rising up.
Meaning: to rise from one's bed (verb)
Which one should you use?
While aufstehen is used for getting up from a bed or a seat, the verb erheben is a much more formal way to express the concept of rising, such as rising to one's feet.
How does it change in a sentence?
aufstehen is a separable verb, which means the prefix auf- moves to the end of the sentence in simple present and simple past tense constructions. For example, in the third person singular present tense, the prefix is separated from the stem to form steht auf. The past participle is aufgestanden, which is used with the auxiliary verb sein to form the perfect tense.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʔaufˌʃteːən/
Did you know?
- While aufstehen means to get up, the German word for 'breakfast' is Frühstück, which literally translates to 'early piece'.
- In German, if you are a 'late riser', you are called a Langschläfer, which literally means a 'long-sleeper'.
- To describe the act of waking up versus actually getting out of bed, Germans distinguish between aufwachen and aufstehen.
Examples in context
- Er wird bald aufstehen.He will get up soon.This sentence uses aufstehen to show a future action.Tatoeba #12207233 by mayabe, translation #8339193 by Ergulis
- Tom muss früh aufstehen.Tom has to get up early.This sentence uses aufstehen to express necessity.Tatoeba #1944535 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1025273 by CK
- Er will nicht aufstehen.He doesn't want to get up.This sentence uses aufstehen to express a lack of desire.Tatoeba #3799501 by Esperantostern, translation #13672516 by araneo
- Können Sie bitte aufstehen?Could you please get up?
- Bitte erheben Sie sichPlease rise
- Komm schon, steh endlich auf!Come on, get up already!
- Guten Morgen! Steh doch bitte auf und mach dich bereit für den Tag.Good morning! Please get up and get ready for the day.
- 116 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A quiet morning in a shared apartment.
- FelixWann musst du heute aufstehen?When do you have to get up today?
- SarahIch muss schon um sechs Uhr aufstehen.I have to get up at six o'clock.
- FelixDas ist sehr früh, Sarah.That is very early, Sarah.
- SarahJa, aber ich möchte früh aufstehen.Yes, but I want to get up early.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “get up” translations and entries aufstehen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
