German word

aufwenden

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈaʊ̯fˌvɛndn̩/

Meaning

  • verbspend

Example

Wir wenden jeden Tag Zeit für Deutsch auf.

We spend time studying German every day.

Illustration for aufwenden (spend)

More examples

Die Firma hat viele Mittel für Forschung aufgewendet.

The company spent substantial funds on research.

Core concept

Time, money, or effort is turned toward a chosen purpose and used there.

Common phrases

  • Zeit aufwenden

    spend time

  • Mittel aufwenden

    spend funds

  • Anstrengungen aufwenden

    expend effort

Similar words

verbringen: Spending time in a particular place or doing a particular activity.
ausgeben: Spending money on goods or services.
verbrauchen: Using up materials or other resources.
einsetzen: Putting a person or thing to use for a particular purpose.

Definition in German

Ressourcen wie Zeit oder Geld einer Sache zur Verfügung stellen und nutzen

Word origin

The separable verb aufwenden combines auf, meaning toward or onto, with wenden, meaning turn, extending the idea of turning something toward a purpose to spending or devoting it.

Usage tips

  • As a separable verb, aufwenden places auf at the end in main clauses, while its purpose commonly follows für plus the accusative.

Other meanings

  • devoteverb
  • investverb
  • allocateverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Aufwendungexpenditurenoun
  • aufwendigtime-consumingadjective

Word lists with this word