German word

aufheben

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈaʊ̯fˌheːbən/

Meaning

  • verbpick up

Example

Ich hebe das Buch vom Boden auf.

I pick the book up off the floor.

Illustration for aufheben (pick up)

More examples

Kannst du bitte den Müll aufheben?

Can you please pick up the trash?

Core concept

A hand lifts an object from a surface and takes it out of its current place, either into safekeeping or out of effect.

Common phrases

  • den Müll aufheben

    pick up the trash

  • Papier vom Boden aufheben

    pick up paper from the floor

Similar words

auflesen: Picking up something found lying on the ground.
behalten: Continuing to keep something as one's own without letting it go.
mitnehmen: Carrying a found object along and taking it home.
aufsammeln: Collecting scattered objects by picking them up one after another.

Definition in German

Etwas vom Boden oder von einer Oberfläche mit der Hand hochnehmen; im übertragenen Sinn behalten oder abschaffen

Word origin

Aufheben combines the separable prefix auf, meaning 'up', with heben, meaning 'lift'; the literal movement underlies its senses of saving and cancelling.

Usage tips

  • In a main clause, aufheben separates, as in 'Ich hebe das Buch auf', while the infinitive remains joined.

Other meanings

  • keepverb
  • abolishverb

Opposites

  • liegen lassenleave lyingverb
  • wegwerfenthrow awayverb

Word lists with this word