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.
Explanation at your level:
Meaning
An imperative to be careful or attentive.
Cultural Background
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.
Meaning
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.
Test Yourself
Which form is correct for a teacher speaking to a whole class?
Kinder, bitte ______ !
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.
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!
'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 ______.'
The full structure is 'aufpassen auf + object'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsIt 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!
Related Phrases
Vorsicht!
synonymCaution!
Achtung!
similarAttention!
Pass auf dich auf
specialized formTake care of yourself
Beachte...
contrastNote that...
Obacht!
similarWatch out!
Hör zu!
similarListen up!
Where to Use It
Crossing a busy street
Friend A: Lass uns rübergehen!
Friend B: Pass auf! Da kommt ein Fahrrad!
In a classroom
Lehrer: Bitte passt auf, das ist wichtig für die Prüfung.
Schüler: Entschuldigung, ich höre zu.
Babysitting
Mutter: Kannst du heute auf Lukas aufpassen?
Babysitter: Klar, kein Problem!
At a crowded cafe
Person A: Ich gehe kurz zur Toilette.
Person B: Okay, ich passe auf deine Sachen auf.
Sharing a secret
Friend A: Pass auf, ich erzähle dir jetzt was...
Friend B: Ich bin ganz Ohr!
Cooking together
Chef: Pass auf, die Pfanne ist sehr heiß!
Assistant: Danke für die Warnung.
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
Challenge
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
¡Cuidado!
Spanish uses a noun (cuidado) while German uses a verb (pass auf).
Fais attention !
French requires the verb 'to do', whereas German has a dedicated verb for the act.
気をつけて (Ki wo tsukete)
Japanese is much more polite and less 'barky' than the German imperative.
انتبه (Intabih)
Arabic has different forms for male, female, and plural, similar to German's conjugation.
小心 (Xiǎoxīn)
The metaphor is emotional/internal (heart), while German is more about external fitting/watching.
조심해 (Josimhae)
Korean usage is often softer and used more frequently as a parting phrase.
Cuidado!
Portuguese rarely uses a verb form for this; the noun 'Cuidado' is the standard.
Watch out!
English 'Watch out' is rarely used for 'pay attention in class' (we use 'pay attention').
Easily Confused
Learners think 'Watch out' = 'Schau aus'.
Remember that 'ausschauen' is about appearance (how something looks), not the act of watching.
Both involve 'looking'.
'Nachsehen' means to check on something or look something up in a book.
FAQ (12)
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!
