German word

aufräumen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈaʊ̯fʁɔɪ̯mən/

Meaning

  • verbtidy up

Example

Ich räume mein Zimmer auf.

I'm tidying up my room.

Illustration for aufräumen (tidy up)

More examples

Bevor Gäste kommen, sollte man die Küche aufräumen.

Before guests come, one should tidy up the kitchen.

Core concept

A cluttered room becomes usable as belongings are sorted, put away, or removed.

Common phrases

  • nach einer Feier aufräumen

    tidy up after a party

  • die Küche aufräumen

    tidy up the kitchen

  • den Kleiderschrank aufräumen

    tidy up the wardrobe

Similar words

wegräumen: To move things from their current place to another place to clear the area.
ausmisten: To clear out unwanted things by removing and disposing of them.
ordnen: To arrange things according to an established order or category.
putzen: To remove dust and dirt from surfaces to make them clean.

Definition in German

Dinge ordnen oder entfernen, damit ein Raum geordnet wirkt.

Word origin

Aufräumen combines the separable prefix auf- with räumen, 'clear or remove', forming the everyday verb for clearing a space into order.

Usage tips

  • The prefix separates in main clauses, as in 'Ich räume mein Zimmer auf', but stays attached in forms such as 'aufgeräumt'.

Other meanings

  • clean upverb
  • organizeverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Aufräumaktioncleanup drivenoun
  • aufgeräumttidyadjective
  • Aufräumservicetidying-up servicenoun

Word lists with this word