A1 Expression カジュアル

Pass auf!

Watch out! Pay attention!

Phrase in 30 Seconds

A vital, everyday command used to tell someone to be careful or to pay close attention to something important.

Means: 'Watch out!' or 'Pay attention!' depending on the immediate context.
Used in: Dangerous street situations, classrooms, or when sharing a secret.
Don't confuse: With 'Achtung', which is more formal and often seen on signs.

Eyes wide open + {die|f} Gefahr (danger) = Pass auf!

Explanation at your level:

In A1, 'Pass auf!' is a simple command. It means 'Watch out!' or 'Be careful!'. You use it when you see a car or a bike. You also use it to say 'Listen to me!'. It is a short and very important phrase for everyday life in Germany. Just remember: 'Pass' comes first, 'auf' comes last.

At the A2 level, you learn that 'aufpassen' is a separable verb. You can use it with the preposition 'auf' and the accusative case to say what you are watching, like 'Ich passe auf {das|n} Kind auf'. It's useful for talking about babysitting or taking care of your things at the airport. You also learn the plural form 'Passt auf!'.

By B1, you should distinguish between 'aufpassen' and 'achten auf'. While 'Pass auf!' is an immediate warning or a task of caretaking, 'achten auf' is more about noticing details or following rules. You can now use the phrase in the past tense ('Ich habe nicht aufgepasst') to explain why you made a mistake or missed some information during a conversation.

At the B2 level, you explore the nuances of 'aufpassen' in professional contexts. It can imply a level of supervision or monitoring. You might discuss 'Aufsichtspflicht' (duty of supervision) in a legal or work context. You understand that 'Pass auf!' can also be used sarcastically or as a rhetorical device to introduce a surprising fact in a narrative, similar to 'Get this...' in English.

C1 learners analyze 'aufpassen' within the spectrum of German verbs of perception. You compare it with 'beobachten' (to observe), 'wahrnehmen' (to perceive), and 'beaufsichtigen' (to supervise). You recognize its use in idiomatic expressions and how the tone of 'Pass auf!' can shift from a friendly warning to a subtle threat depending on the prosody and social hierarchy between speakers.

At the C2 level, you master the cognitive linguistics behind the 'auf-' prefix, which denotes a state of alertness and 'upward' readiness. You can deconstruct the etymological shift from the 17th-century 'lying in wait' to modern psychological concepts of 'Achtsamkeit' (mindfulness). You use the phrase with native-level precision, including its use in literature to create tension or signal a character's shift in focus.

意味

An imperative to be careful or attentive.

🌍

文化的背景

In Germany, 'Pass auf!' is a sign of social cohesion. People will warn strangers of ice on the sidewalk or an open bag. It is not considered 'meddling' but rather 'Zivilcourage' (civil courage) on a small scale. Austrians might use 'Obacht!' or 'Schau!' more frequently than 'Pass auf!', especially in rural areas. The tone is often slightly more melodic but the intent is just as direct. In Swiss German, you might hear 'Pass uuf!' (with a long 'u'). The Swiss value 'Sorgfalt' (carefulness) highly, and this phrase is central to their daily interactions. The verb 'aufpassen' is the most important word in a German classroom. It defines the relationship between teacher and student. A student who doesn't 'aufpasst' is seen as wasting the group's time.

💡

The 'Auf' Sandwich

When using an object, remember the 'auf' sandwich: Pass [auf] the object [auf]!

⚠️

Don't be too aggressive

Yelling 'Pass auf!' can sound like an angry command. Use a calm tone if there's no immediate danger.

意味

An imperative to be careful or attentive.

💡

The 'Auf' Sandwich

When using an object, remember the 'auf' sandwich: Pass [auf] the object [auf]!

⚠️

Don't be too aggressive

Yelling 'Pass auf!' can sound like an angry command. Use a calm tone if there's no immediate danger.

💬

The Goodbye Rule

Always use 'Pass auf dich auf' when saying goodbye to someone you care about; it shows you value their safety.

🎯

Classroom Success

If a teacher says 'Passen Sie auf!', stop writing and look at them immediately. It's a high-priority signal.

自分をテスト

Which form is correct for a teacher speaking to a whole class?

Kinder, bitte ______ !

✓ 正解！ ✗ おしい！正解: passt auf

The plural informal imperative (ihr-form) is 'passt auf'.

Complete the sentence with the correct preposition and article.

Ich passe auf ______ (the, masc.) Hund auf.

✓ 正解！ ✗ おしい！正解: den

The preposition 'auf' in this context takes the accusative case. {der|m} Hund becomes 'den Hund'.

Match the phrase to the situation.

1. Pass auf dich auf! | 2. Passen Sie auf! | 3. Pass auf!

✓ 正解！ ✗ おしい！正解: 1-b, 2-a, 3-c

'Pass auf dich auf' is for goodbyes, 'Passen Sie auf' is formal, and 'Pass auf' is an informal warning.

What would Person B say?

Person A: 'Ich habe mein Portemonnaie hier auf dem Tisch gelassen.' | Person B: 'Keine Sorge, ich ______.'

✓ 正解！ ✗ おしい！正解: passe auf es auf

The full structure is 'aufpassen auf + object'.

🎉 スコア： /4

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よくある質問

12 問

It depends on the tone. In an emergency, it's helpful. In a calm conversation, it can be a bit direct, so adding 'bitte' (Pass bitte auf) helps.

'Achtung!' is more formal and often used for general warnings (like on a sign). 'Pass auf!' is more personal and specific to an action.

Yes, but only as 'Pass auf dich auf'. Just 'Pass auf!' sounds like a warning of immediate danger.

You say: 'Pass auf den Hund auf!' (using the accusative case for 'den Hund').

Yes: 'Ich habe aufgepasst' (I paid attention) or 'Ich passte auf' (I was paying attention).

Only if you are talking about your skills, e.g., 'Ich passe immer sehr genau auf Details auf.' Don't use the imperative form!

It is the plural form. Use it when talking to two or more friends or children.

Because 'aufpassen' is a separable verb. In German, the prefix of such verbs moves to the end of the clause.

Yes, 'Obacht' is a more old-fashioned or regional (Bavarian/Austrian) way to say 'Pass auf!'.

No, that would be very rude. You should use 'Passen Sie auf' only if you are warning them of danger.

Literally, yes, but nobody uses it that way. It almost always means to watch out or pay attention.

Translating 'Watch out' as 'Schau aus'. Avoid this at all costs!

どこで使う？

🚲

Crossing a busy street

Friend A: Lass uns rübergehen!

Friend B: Pass auf! Da kommt ein Fahrrad!

informal

🏫

In a classroom

Lehrer: Bitte passt auf, das ist wichtig für die Prüfung.

Schüler: Entschuldigung, ich höre zu.

neutral

👶

Babysitting

Mutter: Kannst du heute auf Lukas aufpassen?

Babysitter: Klar, kein Problem!

informal

☕

At a crowded cafe

Person A: Ich gehe kurz zur Toilette.

Person B: Okay, ich passe auf deine Sachen auf.

informal

🤫

Sharing a secret

Friend A: Pass auf, ich erzähle dir jetzt was...

Friend B: Ich bin ganz Ohr!

informal

🍳

Cooking together

Chef: Pass auf, die Pfanne ist sehr heiß!

Assistant: Danke für die Warnung.

informal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Pass' in a game. If you don't look 'Up' (Auf), you'll miss the ball! Pass + Auf = Watch out!

Visual Association

Imagine a giant eye floating 'auf' (on top of) a soccer ball. The eye is watching everything to make sure the ball 'passes' safely through the goal.

Rhyme

Pass gut auf, sonst fällst du drauf!

Story

A hunter is in the woods. He needs to 'passen' (fit) his eyes 'auf' (on) the deer. If he doesn't 'aufpassen', the deer will run away. Now, you are the hunter in the city, watching for cars.

Word Web

aufpassenVorsichtAchtungdie Aufmerksamkeitbeobachtenpflegenbehütenkontrollieren

チャレンジ

Go for a 5-minute walk. Every time you see something potentially dangerous (a curb, a bike, a puddle), whisper 'Pass auf!' to yourself.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

¡Cuidado!

Spanish uses a noun (cuidado) while German uses a verb (pass auf).

French high

Fais attention !

French requires the verb 'to do', whereas German has a dedicated verb for the act.

Japanese moderate

気をつけて (Ki wo tsukete)

Japanese is much more polite and less 'barky' than the German imperative.

Arabic high

انتبه (Intabih)

Arabic has different forms for male, female, and plural, similar to German's conjugation.

Chinese moderate

小心 (Xiǎoxīn)

The metaphor is emotional/internal (heart), while German is more about external fitting/watching.

Korean high

조심해 (Josimhae)

Korean usage is often softer and used more frequently as a parting phrase.

Portuguese high

Cuidado!

Portuguese rarely uses a verb form for this; the noun 'Cuidado' is the standard.

English high

Watch out!

English 'Watch out' is rarely used for 'pay attention in class' (we use 'pay attention').

Easily Confused

Pass auf! 対 Ausschauen

Learners think 'Watch out' = 'Schau aus'.

Remember that 'ausschauen' is about appearance (how something looks), not the act of watching.

Pass auf! 対 Nachsehen

Both involve 'looking'.

'Nachsehen' means to check on something or look something up in a book.

よくある質問 (12)