Bedeutung
States the necessity of being vigilant or cautious.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Germany, 'aufpassen' is linked to the concept of 'Eigenverantwortung' (personal responsibility). If there is a sign that says 'Betreten auf eigene Gefahr' (Enter at your own risk), you are expected to 'aufpassen' without being told twice. Austrians often use 'Obacht' (from 'Obacht geben') instead of 'Pass auf'. It sounds slightly more traditional and is very common in alpine regions to warn of trail hazards. Swiss German speakers might use 'luege' (look) in similar contexts, but in High German contexts, 'aufpassen' remains the standard for safety and attention. In a German office, 'aufpassen' is often used when discussing 'Datenschutz' (data protection). Employees are expected to 'aufpassen' with sensitive customer data as part of their professional duty.
The 'Auf' Rule
Remember that if you watch 'something', you need 'auf' twice: 'Ich passe AUF das Kind AUF'.
Not for Movies
Never say 'Ich passe auf den Film auf' unless you are guarding the cinema!
Bedeutung
States the necessity of being vigilant or cautious.
The 'Auf' Rule
Remember that if you watch 'something', you need 'auf' twice: 'Ich passe AUF das Kind AUF'.
Not for Movies
Never say 'Ich passe auf den Film auf' unless you are guarding the cinema!
Modal Verb Position
When using 'muss', 'aufpassen' stays together at the very end of the sentence.
Politeness
Saying 'Pass auf!' to a stranger is okay in an emergency, but use 'Passen Sie bitte auf' if you just want them to move their bag.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct form of 'aufpassen' or the preposition.
Ich muss in der Schule besser ______.
After the modal verb 'muss', we need the infinitive at the end of the sentence.
Which sentence is correct?
You want to ask a friend to watch your bag.
'Aufpassen' requires the preposition 'auf' + Accusative.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Es ist sehr glatt draußen.' B: 'Oh, danke für den Hinweis. Ich ______.'
The speaker is expressing a future necessity to be careful due to the ice.
Match the sentence to the situation.
1. 'Pass auf!' 2. 'Ich muss aufpassen, dass ich den Termin nicht vergesse.' 3. 'Kannst du auf die Kinder aufpassen?'
The sentences correspond to immediate danger, mental focus, and supervision respectively.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenIch muss in der Schule besser ______.
After the modal verb 'muss', we need the infinitive at the end of the sentence.
You want to ask a friend to watch your bag.
'Aufpassen' requires the preposition 'auf' + Accusative.
A: 'Es ist sehr glatt draußen.' B: 'Oh, danke für den Hinweis. Ich ______.'
The speaker is expressing a future necessity to be careful due to the ice.
1. 'Pass auf!' 2. 'Ich muss aufpassen, dass ich den Termin nicht vergesse.' 3. 'Kannst du auf die Kinder aufpassen?'
The sentences correspond to immediate danger, mental focus, and supervision respectively.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenNot exactly. 'Zuhören' is just listening. 'Aufpassen' is paying attention with your whole mind, which might include looking and thinking.
Yes! 'Auf ein Kind aufpassen' is the standard German expression for babysitting.
It always takes the Accusative case when used with 'aufpassen'.
It is always 'Ich habe aufgepasst' (using the auxiliary verb 'haben').
Yes, they are very similar. 'Vorsichtig sein' is more about the state of being, while 'aufpassen' is the action of being alert.
It depends on the tone. In an emergency, it's helpful. To a friend, it's normal. To a superior, it might be too direct.
You would say: 'Pass auf mich auf!' (if you want them to look after you) or 'Hör mir zu!' (if you want them to listen).
The best opposite is 'ablenken lassen' (to be distracted) or 'unaufmerksam sein'.
Yes, 'auf das Haus aufpassen' means to keep an eye on it while the owners are away.
Yes, 'auf sein Gewicht aufpassen' is a common way to say you are monitoring your weight.
Because it's a separable verb. In 'Ich passe auf', the prefix moves to the end. In 'Ich muss aufpassen', the modal verb keeps it together.
'Achtung' is a noun used as a shout. 'Aufpassen' is the verb you do.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Acht geben
synonymTo pay attention or be careful.
Vorsicht!
similarCaution! / Watch out!
Beobachten
contrastTo observe.
Zuhören
specialized formTo listen.
Sich vorsehen
similarTo be cautious.
