Phrasalverb: Pick up (aufheben, abholen, antworten)
abholen, lernen oder verbessern!
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
A versatile phrasal verb used for lifting objects, collecting people, answering phones, and learning new skills naturally.
- Use it for physical lifting: 'Can you pick up that pen?' (max 20 words)
- Use it for collecting: 'I will pick you up at 8 PM.'
- If using a pronoun (it/them), put it in the middle: 'Pick it up.'
Overview
Pick up ist eines der vielseitigsten Phrasal Verbs im Englischen. Als Deutschsprachiger bist du es gewohnt, dass Verben ihre Bedeutung durch Präfixe ändern (z. B.aufstehen, abholen, aufheben). Im Englischen übernimmt das Phrasal Verb genau diese Rolle. Während wir im Deutschen für jede dieser Handlungen ein völlig neues Verb nutzen, nutzt das Englische oft dieselbe Basis (pick) und kombiniert sie mit einer Partikel (up), um völlig verschiedene Nuancen auszudrücken.pick up beherrschst, klingst du sofort natürlicher, egal ob du im Büro eine Nachricht hinterlässt, in der Uni über das Lernen sprichst oder in der Kneipe jemanden bittest, das Telefon zu bedienen.up als Teil des Phrasal Verb erhalten, kann aber durch ein Objekt vom Verb pick getrennt werden.pick up korrekt zu verwenden, verstehst du gleichzeitig das Prinzip der separable phrasal verbs, was dir bei unzähligen anderen Verben helfen wird.Phrasal Verb besteht aus einem Verb und einer Partikel (hier up). Die Partikel verändert die Bedeutung des Verbs fundamental. Im Deutschen haben wir für diese Konzepte oft spezifische Verben: aufheben (physisch), abholen (Personen/Dinge), drangehen (Telefon) oder aufschnappen (Wissen).idiomatic construction. Das Wort up impliziert hier meist eine Bewegung nach oben, eine Vollendung oder eine Aufnahme.- Physisches Aufheben:
Pick up the penentspricht genau unseremHeb den Stift auf. Hier ist die Analogie zum Deutschen sehr stark, da auch wir eine Trennung vornehmen. - Abholen:
I will pick you up at the stationentsprichtIch hole dich am Bahnhof ab. Auch hier ist dasab-(Präfix) das funktionale Äquivalent zur englischen Partikelup. - Telefonieren:
Pick up the phoneheißtan das Telefon gehen. Das ist ein idiomatisch feststehender Ausdruck. - Lernen:
I picked up some EnglishbedeutetIch habe etwas Englisch aufgeschnappt. Hier zeigt sich die metaphorische Kraft des Englischen.
auf- oder ab- im Infinitiv fest verbunden (aufheben). Im Englischen ist pick up die Grundform. Die Trennung erfolgt erst durch das Objekt im Satz.trennbares Verb bereits kennen, aber wir müssen uns an die englische Wortstellung gewöhnen, bei der das Objekt oft *zwischen* die beiden Teile wandern kann.Verb + Particle + Noun | Pick up the keys. | Nicht möglich |Verb + Noun + Particle | Pick the keys up. | Nicht möglich |Verb + Pronoun + Particle | Nicht möglich | Pick them up. |it, them, me oder him verwendest, musst du sie in die Mitte setzen. Pick up it ist ein klassischer Fehler, der sofort als unnatürlich auffällt.pick up in vielen Lebenslagen verwenden:- 1Im Büro:
Could you pick up the phone?(Kannst du ans Telefon gehen?) - 2In der Uni:
I picked up some new vocabulary in the lecture.(Ich habe in der Vorlesung neues Vokabular aufgeschnappt.) - 3Beim Einkaufen:
I need to pick up some groceries on the way home.(Ich muss auf dem Heimweg noch Lebensmittel besorgen.) - 4Reisesituationen:
I will pick you up from the airport.(Ich hole dich vom Flughafen ab.)
pick up nicht mit take oder get verwechselst. Pick up impliziert immer eine Form von Aufnahme oder Abholung. Wenn du etwas kaufst, sagst du buy. Wenn du etwas mitnimmst, sagst du take along.- 1Pronomen am Ende:
Pick up themstattPick them up. Warum? Im Deutschen sagen wirIch hole sie ab
. Das Pronomen steht zwischen dem Verb und dem Präfix. Deutsche Lernende versuchen oft, das Pronomen hinter das gesamte Phrasal Verb zu setzen, weil sie das Englische als eine Einheit betrachten. Merke dir: Pronomen sindkleinund wandern bei trennbaren Verben immer in die Mitte. - 2Verwechslung mit 'become': Viele Deutsche sagen
I pick up a doctor(im Sinne vonIch werde Arzt). Das ist falsch!Becomeist das Verb fürwerden.Pick upbedeutet immer eine physische oder informelle Aufnahme, niemals eine Zustandsänderung der Person. - 3Falsche Verwendung bei 'Abfall':
Pick up the trashwird oft benutzt, wenn man meint, den Müll rauszubringen. Im Englischen bedeutetpick upaber nur das Aufheben vom Boden. Für das Entsorgen benutzt mantake out the trash.
pick up von anderen Verben abzugrenzen:Pick up | Aufheben/Abholen | Sammeln oder Retten |Take up | Anfangen | Ein neues Hobby beginnen |Bring up | Erwähnen | Ein Thema zur Sprache bringen |I picked up painting (Ich habe zufällig angefangen zu malen) vs. I took up painting (Ich habe mich bewusst dazu entschlossen, mit dem Malen zu beginnen).Idee ist es jedoch unüblich.collect oder retrieve verwenden.it) immer eng an das Verb gebunden werden müssen. Die Partikel up ist betont, daher muss das Pronomen davor stehen.Conjugating 'Pick Up'
| Tense | Subject | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Present Simple
|
I/You/We/They
|
pick up
|
I pick up the mail every day.
|
|
Present Simple
|
He/She/It
|
picks up
|
He picks up his son from school.
|
|
Past Simple
|
All subjects
|
picked up
|
They picked up the bill.
|
|
Present Continuous
|
All subjects
|
am/is/are picking up
|
I am picking up the trash now.
|
|
Future (will)
|
All subjects
|
will pick up
|
I will pick you up later.
|
|
Present Perfect
|
All subjects
|
have/has picked up
|
She has picked up some flu.
|
Word Order with Objects
| Object Type | Structure | Correct Example | Incorrect Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Noun
|
Verb + Particle + Noun
|
Pick up the book.
|
N/A
|
|
Noun
|
Verb + Noun + Particle
|
Pick the book up.
|
N/A
|
|
Pronoun
|
Verb + Pronoun + Particle
|
Pick it up.
|
N/A
|
|
Pronoun
|
Verb + Particle + Pronoun
|
N/A
|
Pick up it.
|
Meanings
To lift something from a surface, or more broadly, to acquire, collect, or resume something.
Physical Lift
To take hold of and lift something from a floor, table, or other surface.
“He picked up the book and started reading.”
“Don't pick up that glass; it's broken.”
Collect/Retrieve
To go to a place and get someone or something, often in a vehicle.
“I need to pick up my laundry from the dry cleaners.”
“Can you pick me up from the airport at midnight?”
Answer
To answer a telephone call or a ringing phone.
“I called him three times, but he didn't pick up.”
“Why didn't you pick up the phone earlier?”
Learn Naturally
To learn a new skill or language without formal study, just by being exposed to it.
“He picked up some Spanish while living in Madrid.”
“Kids pick up computer skills so quickly these days.”
Improve/Increase
To increase in speed, force, or volume; or for a situation to improve.
“The wind is starting to pick up.”
“Sales usually pick up right before Christmas.”
Tidy/Clean
To make a room neat by putting things back where they belong.
“You need to pick up your room before guests arrive.”
“I spent the morning picking up after the kids.”
Reference Table
| Bedeutung | Beispiel | Objekt-Platzierung | Anmerkungen |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Hochheben/Holen
|
`Pick up the pen.`
|
`Pick the pen up.` / `Pick it up.`
|
Wörtlichste Nutzung.
|
|
Jemanden abholen
|
`Pick up my friend.`
|
`Pick my friend up.` / `Pick them up.`
|
Jemanden von einem Ort holen.
|
|
Etwas abholen
|
`Pick up groceries.`
|
`Pick the groceries up.` / `Pick them up.`
|
Einen Gegenstand holen.
|
|
Telefon abnehmen
|
`Pick up the phone.`
|
`Pick the phone up.` / `Pick it up.`
|
Auf einen Anruf reagieren.
|
|
Lernen/Aneignen
|
`Pick up Spanish.`
|
`Pick Spanish up.` / `Pick it up.`
|
Informell lernen.
|
|
Verbessern/Zunehmen
|
`Sales picked up.`
|
(Kein Objekt)
|
Geschäft oder Situation wird besser.
|
Formalitätsspektrum
I shall collect you from your residence at eight o'clock. (Transportation)
I'll pick you up at 8:00. (Transportation)
I'll swing by and pick you up at 8. (Transportation)
I'll scoop you up at 8. (Transportation)
Bedeutungen von 'Pick Up'
Physische Handlungen
- Hochheben/Holen Pick up the fallen leaves.
- Person abholen Pick up friends from the airport.
- Gegenstand abholen Pick up groceries from the store.
Nicht-physische Handlungen
- Antworten Pick up the phone.
- Beiläufig lernen Pick up a new language.
- Verbessern Business started to pick up.
- Bemerken/Erkennen Pick up on a strange vibe.
'Pick Up' vs. Ähnliche Phrasal Verbs
Objekt-Platzierung bei 'Pick Up'
Ist das Objekt ein Pronomen (it, them, him, her, us, you)?
Ist das Objekt ein Nomen (book, friend, groceries)?
Häufige 'Pick Up'-Szenarien
Tägliche Aufgaben
- • Pick up toys
- • Pick up laundry
Erledigungen
- • Pick up groceries
- • Pick up dry cleaning
- • Pick up a package
Soziales Leben
- • Pick up a friend
- • Pick up the phone
Lernen/Fähigkeiten
- • Pick up a new skill
- • Pick up a language
- • Pick up a habit
Beispiele nach Niveau
Pick up the pen.
Pick up the pen.
Can you pick up the phone?
Can you pick up the phone?
Pick it up, please.
Pick it up, please.
I pick up my bag.
I pick up my bag.
I will pick you up at 6:00.
I will pick you up at 6:00.
She picked up some milk at the store.
She picked up some milk at the store.
Don't forget to pick up your trash.
Don't forget to pick up your trash.
He didn't pick up when I called.
He didn't pick up when I called.
I picked up a lot of Italian during my summer in Rome.
I picked up a lot of Italian during my summer in Rome.
The economy is finally starting to pick up.
The economy is finally starting to pick up.
Can you pick up the pace? We are going to be late.
Can you pick up the pace? We are going to be late.
I need to pick up my prescription from the pharmacy.
I need to pick up my prescription from the pharmacy.
The sensor is picking up a strange signal from the basement.
The sensor is picking up a strange signal from the basement.
I managed to pick up a great bargain at the flea market.
I managed to pick up a great bargain at the flea market.
Let's pick up where we left off yesterday.
Let's pick up where we left off yesterday.
He's very quick to pick up on any changes in the atmosphere.
He's very quick to pick up on any changes in the atmosphere.
The detective picked up a few clues that everyone else had missed.
The detective picked up a few clues that everyone else had missed.
The radio station is difficult to pick up in this mountainous region.
The radio station is difficult to pick up in this mountainous region.
She picked up the threads of her old life after returning from abroad.
She picked up the threads of her old life after returning from abroad.
The company is picking up the tab for the entire conference.
The company is picking up the tab for the entire conference.
The wind picked up significantly, reaching gale force by midnight.
The wind picked up significantly, reaching gale force by midnight.
He has an uncanny ability to pick up the nuances of any local dialect.
He has an uncanny ability to pick up the nuances of any local dialect.
The narrative picks up speed as the protagonist nears the climax.
The narrative picks up speed as the protagonist nears the climax.
They are still picking up the pieces after the financial crash.
They are still picking up the pieces after the financial crash.
Leicht verwechselbar
Learners use 'pick up' when they mean to choose something from a group.
Both involve starting something new, but the 'how' is different.
They are often synonyms, but 'collect' is more formal.
Häufige Fehler
Pick up it.
Pick it up.
I pick up to the phone.
I pick up the phone.
He pick up the book.
He picks up the book.
I picked up it yesterday.
I picked it up yesterday.
I will pick up you.
I will pick you up.
Can you pick up me?
Can you pick me up?
I pick up my friend from the station.
I am picking up my friend from the station.
I picked up tennis last week.
I took up tennis last week.
The business is picking up it.
The business is picking up.
I need to pick up a choice.
I need to make a choice / pick one.
He picked up on the book.
He picked up the book.
Satzmuster
Can you pick up ___ on your way home?
I'll pick ___ up at ___.
He picked up ___ while he was in ___.
Don't forget to pick up ___.
Real World Usage
Your driver is arriving to pick you up.
Can you pick up line 2? It's for the manager.
Select 'In-store pick up' to save on shipping.
I have to pick up the kids from soccer practice.
He tried a cheesy pick-up line on her.
Please pick up your toys before bedtime.
Achte auf die Pronomen-Platzierung
Please pick it up.
Nicht mit 'Take Out' verwechseln
Hör auf den Kontext
I picked up a few German words.
Locker lernen mit 'Pick Up'
I picked up Spanish by watching movies.
Smart Tips
Pause and put the pronoun in the middle. Think: 'Pick... it... up'.
Use 'pick up' instead of 'learn'. It sounds much more natural in conversation.
You don't need to say 'the phone'. Just say 'Pick up!'
Use 'pick up' without an object to describe improvement or increased strength.
Aussprache
Linking
When 'pick' is followed by 'up', the 'k' sound links to the 'u'. It sounds like 'pi-kup'.
Stress
In phrasal verbs, the particle (up) usually receives more stress than the verb (pick).
Pronoun Linking
When a pronoun is in the middle, the sounds link: 'pick-it-up' sounds like one word.
Rising on 'up'
Can you pick it UP? ↗
A standard polite request.
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
P.U.C.: Phone, Up, Collect. Remember these three and you've got the basics!
Visuelle Assoziation
Imagine a giant magnet picking up a car (collecting a person), a phone (answering), and a book (learning). The magnet is labeled 'UP'.
Rhyme
If it's a thing, you have a choice. If it's 'it', use your middle voice!
Story
I went to the store to pick up some bread. On the way, my phone rang but I didn't pick up. Then I had to pick up my sister from the gym. She had picked up a cold, so we went home.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Look around your room. Find three things on the floor. As you lift them, say 'I am picking up the [object]' and then 'I am picking it up'.
Kulturelle Hinweise
In both cultures, 'picking up the tab' or 'picking up the check' is a common way to say you are paying for everyone's meal.
A 'pick-up line' is a prepared remark used to start a conversation with a stranger in a romantic way. They are often considered cheesy or funny.
In many English-speaking countries, offering to 'pick someone up' is a standard sign of hospitality and friendship.
The verb 'pick' comes from Middle English 'picken' (to peck or pierce), and 'up' is a Germanic particle indicating direction or completion.
Gesprächseinstiege
What time do you need me to pick you up?
Have you ever picked up a new hobby very quickly?
Why didn't you pick up my call yesterday?
Do you think it's easier to pick up a language by traveling or by studying?
Tagebuch-Impulse
Häufige Fehler
Test Yourself
Can you ___ the book for me?
Find and fix the mistake:
I need to pick up them from the airport.
Choose the correct sentence:
Hast du den Sarkasmus bemerkt?ist die Frage hier!
Score: /3
Ubungsaufgaben
8 exercisesWhich sentence is grammatically correct?
The phone is ringing. Why don't you ___?
Find and fix the mistake:
I picked up some Spanish while I was in Mexico.
up / you / at / I / 8 / will / pick
1. Answer, 2. Learn, 3. Collect
A: Can you get some milk? B: Sure, I'll ___ on my way home.
The wind is picking up.
Pick up the books.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesMy mom will ___ me from practice at 5 PM.
He picked up a new hobby, learning to play the guitar.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'El negocio está mejorando.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the meanings:
The keys are on the table, can you ___?
She is studying to pick up her medical degree.
Translate into English: 'Necesito recoger mi pedido de comida para llevar.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Choose the correct sentence:
Match the uses:
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
Yes, both are correct because 'the book' is a noun. You have the choice!
In English, when the object of a separable phrasal verb is a pronoun, it *must* go in the middle. It's just a strict rule of the language.
No! It can mean answering a phone, collecting a person, learning a skill, or even the weather getting stronger.
It's a type of vehicle with an open back designed to 'pick up' and carry heavy loads.
It is neutral to informal. In very formal writing, you might use 'collect', 'retrieve', or 'acquire'.
It means to pay the bill for everyone, usually at a restaurant.
Yes, it means to collect them in your car. 'I'll pick you up at 5.'
No. 'Pick' means to choose. 'Pick up' means to lift or collect. Don't mix them up!
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
recoger / contestar
Spanish is not a phrasal verb language, so the 'up' feels redundant to them.
ramasser / chercher / décrocher
English uses one phrasal verb for all three, which is confusing for French speakers.
aufheben / abholen
German word order rules for separable particles are even more complex than English.
拾う (hirou) / 迎えに行く (mukaeni iku)
Japanese uses specific verbs where English uses the general 'pick up'.
التقط (iltaqata) / رد (radda)
The concept of a 'particle' (up) changing a verb's meaning doesn't exist in the same way in Arabic.
捡 (jiǎn) / 接 (jiē)
Chinese speakers often omit the 'up' because 'pick' (jiǎn) feels complete on its own.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Verwandte Videos
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