aufstehen
/ˈʔaufˌʃteːən/
The English phrase "rise up" can be translated into German as aufstehen.
While aufstehen can be used to mean mounting a rebellion or rising up in a political sense, its most common everyday use is simply to mean "to get up" from a bed or a seated position.
Meaning: to mount a rebellion (verb)
Which one should you use?
The word aufstehen is commonly used to mean "to get up" from a chair or from bed. For the specific sense of "to rise" in a more general or elevated sense, you may use Sich erheben.
How does it change in a sentence?
aufstehen is a separable prefix verb. In a simple main clause, the prefix auf- moves to the end of the sentence, such as in Er steht um 6 Uhr auf. To form the perfect tense, use the past participle aufgestanden.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʔaufˌʃteːən/
Did you know?
- Because aufstehen means both 'to rebel' and 'to wake up', a German speaker saying they are 'rising up' could be describing a political revolution or simply their morning routine.
- To say 'to have risen' in the past tense, you must use the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be) instead of 'haben' (to have), resulting in ist aufgestanden.
- The Dutch verb opstaan is a direct linguistic cousin to the German aufstehen, sharing the same structural roots.
Examples in context
- Das Volk ist gegen die Tyrannei aufgestanden.The people rose up against the tyranny.
- Das Volk wird gegen den Tyrannen aufstehen.The people will rise up against the tyrant.
- Wann werden die Bürger endlich aufstehen?When will the citizens finally rise up?
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a historical political movement.
- SarahGlaubst du, sie werden gegen das Gesetz aufstehen?Do you think they will rise up against the law?
- FelixJa, die Menschen müssen gegen die Ungerechtigkeit aufstehen.Yes, the people must rise up against the injustice.
- SarahFelix, ist das nicht sehr gefährlich?Felix, isn't that very dangerous?
- FelixEs ist riskant, aber notwendig.It is risky, but necessary.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry aufstehen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aufstehen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
