A2 Collocation Neutral 3 min read

Sonnencreme auftragen

To apply sunscreen

Literally: Sun cream to carry on

In 15 Seconds

  • Rubbing sunscreen on your skin.
  • Uses the separable German verb 'auftragen'.
  • Essential for summer safety and hiking.
  • Commonly used in casual and medical contexts.

Meaning

This phrase is what you say when you're putting on sunscreen to avoid getting a sunburn. It's the act of rubbing that protective lotion onto your skin before you head out into the sun.

Key Examples

3 of 6
1

At the beach with a friend

Ich muss erst noch Sonnencreme auftragen.

I have to apply sunscreen first.

2

A mother talking to her child

Komm her, ich muss dir Sonnencreme auftragen.

Come here, I need to put sunscreen on you.

3

A doctor giving advice

Sie sollten alle zwei Stunden Sonnencreme auftragen.

You should apply sunscreen every two hours.

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Cultural Background

Germans are very health-conscious. You will see people of all ages meticulously applying sunscreen at public pools (Freibad). Using a high SPF (LSF 50) is seen as responsible, not just for children. While the phrase is German, the concept is compared to the Australian 'Slip, Slop, Slap' campaign. Germans living in Australia often find the sun much stronger and learn to 'auftragen' much more frequently. In Japan, sun protection is often about maintaining fair skin (Bihaku). In Germany, it's more about preventing 'Sonnenbrand' (sunburn) and skin cancer. In Southern Europe, people often have a higher tolerance for the sun, but German tourists are famous for their white layers of 'Zinksalbe' or thick sunscreen on their noses.

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The 'Back' Rule

Always use the dative 'mir' or 'dir' when talking about applying it to a body part: 'Ich trage mir Creme auf den Rücken auf.'

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Separable Verb Alert

Don't forget to kick the 'auf' to the very end of the sentence!

In 15 Seconds

  • Rubbing sunscreen on your skin.
  • Uses the separable German verb 'auftragen'.
  • Essential for summer safety and hiking.
  • Commonly used in casual and medical contexts.

What It Means

This phrase is very straightforward. It describes the act of applying sunscreen. You use it whenever you talk about skin protection. It is a daily essential during the summer. It keeps your skin safe from UV rays. You are basically saying 'to put on sun cream'.

How To Use It

The main verb here is auftragen. This is a separable verb. In a sentence, the auf part moves. It goes all the way to the end. You would say: Ich trage die Sonnencreme auf. The noun Sonnencreme is feminine. You can also use it as a command. Tell your friend: Trag Sonnencreme auf! It is simple but very important grammar. Always remember to move that prefix. If you forget, it sounds very strange.

When To Use It

Use this at the beach. Use it when you go hiking. It is perfect for a sunny day. You might say it to your kids. You can say it to your friends. It fits well in casual conversations. It also works in a pharmacy. You can ask for cream to apply. It is a very practical phrase. Even in winter, you might use it. Think about skiing in the bright mountains. The sun is very strong there too.

When NOT To Use It

Do not use this for painting walls. For walls, use the verb streichen. Do not use it for light makeup. For a little powder, use auflegen. Auftragen implies a bit more substance. It is for lotions or thick layers. Don't use it for putting on clothes. That would be anziehen. It is strictly for things you rub on. Also, don't use it for eating. That sounds like a messy accident!

Cultural Background

Germans absolutely love the outdoors. They love hiking and the sea. But they also love being prepared. 'Sonnenschutz' is a serious topic in Germany. You will see many types of cream. There are lotions, sprays, and gels. People often discuss the 'Lichtschutzfaktor' or LSF. This is the SPF rating. It is a common topic at the lake. Being 'krebsrot' (red as a lobster) is embarrassing. Germans prefer to be safe and pale. It shows you are responsible.

Common Variations

You might hear eincremen quite often. This is a bit more casual. It just means 'to cream oneself'. You can also say Sonnenschutz benutzen. That means 'to use sun protection'. If you are at a doctor, they say anwenden. That is a more medical term. But auftragen is the most standard way. It sounds clear and correct. Everyone will understand you perfectly.

Usage Notes

The phrase is neutral and safe for all situations. Just be careful with the separable verb 'auftragen' in subordinate clauses, where it stays together at the end: '...weil ich Sonnencreme auftrage'.

💡

The 'Back' Rule

Always use the dative 'mir' or 'dir' when talking about applying it to a body part: 'Ich trage mir Creme auf den Rücken auf.'

⚠️

Separable Verb Alert

Don't forget to kick the 'auf' to the very end of the sentence!

🎯

Use 'nachcremen'

To sound more like a native at the beach, use 'nachcremen' when you apply it for the second time.

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LSF vs SPF

In Germany, look for 'LSF' (Lichtschutzfaktor) on the bottle. It's the same as SPF.

Examples

6
#1 At the beach with a friend

Ich muss erst noch Sonnencreme auftragen.

I have to apply sunscreen first.

A very common way to delay jumping into the water.

#2 A mother talking to her child

Komm her, ich muss dir Sonnencreme auftragen.

Come here, I need to put sunscreen on you.

Shows the transitive use of the verb.

#3 A doctor giving advice

Sie sollten alle zwei Stunden Sonnencreme auftragen.

You should apply sunscreen every two hours.

Formal advice using the modal verb 'sollten'.

#4 Texting a friend before a hike

Hast du schon Sonnencreme aufgetragen? Die Sonne ist stark!

Have you applied sunscreen yet? The sun is strong!

Uses the perfect tense 'aufgetragen'.

#5 A humorous observation

Ich habe so viel Sonnencreme aufgetragen, ich glänze wie ein Spiegel.

I applied so much sunscreen, I'm shining like a mirror.

Hyperbole about the greasy nature of some creams.

#6 Caring for a partner with a sunburn

Wir hätten früher Sonnencreme auftragen sollen.

We should have applied sunscreen earlier.

An emotional realization after getting burned.

Test Yourself

Fill in the correct form of the verb 'auftragen' in the present tense.

Ich ___ mir heute viel Sonnencreme ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: trage / auf

In a main clause, the separable verb 'auftragen' splits: 'trage' in second position, 'auf' at the end.

Which sentence is grammatically correct?

Which one is right?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich habe Sonnencreme aufgetragen.

'Auftragen' is a strong verb (tragen -> getragen). 'Gemacht' is the wrong verb for cream.

Complete the dialogue.

A: Hast du dich schon eingecremt? B: Nein, ich ___ mir jetzt die Sonnencreme ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: trage / auf

The speaker is responding to 'eincremen' with the more specific 'auftragen'.

Match the phrase to the context.

Where would you most likely see: 'Tragen Sie das Produkt großzügig auf'?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: On a sunscreen bottle

This is standard instructional language for skincare products.

🎉 Score: /4

Visual Learning Aids

Auftragen vs. Anziehen

Auftragen (Layers)
Sonnencreme sunscreen
Lippenstift lipstick
Anziehen (Clothes)
T-Shirt T-shirt
Hose pants

Practice Bank

4 exercises
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'auftragen' in the present tense. Fill Blank A2

Ich ___ mir heute viel Sonnencreme ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: trage / auf

In a main clause, the separable verb 'auftragen' splits: 'trage' in second position, 'auf' at the end.

Which sentence is grammatically correct? Choose A2

Which one is right?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich habe Sonnencreme aufgetragen.

'Auftragen' is a strong verb (tragen -> getragen). 'Gemacht' is the wrong verb for cream.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion A2

A: Hast du dich schon eingecremt? B: Nein, ich ___ mir jetzt die Sonnencreme ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: trage / auf

The speaker is responding to 'eincremen' with the more specific 'auftragen'.

Match the phrase to the context. situation_matching A2

Where would you most likely see: 'Tragen Sie das Produkt großzügig auf'?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: On a sunscreen bottle

This is standard instructional language for skincare products.

🎉 Score: /4

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, you can 'auftragen' makeup, lipstick, or even paint on a wall. It's for any substance that forms a layer.

Yes, that is very common and slightly more informal. Both are correct.

Because 'Sonnencreme' is the direct object (accusative), and you are the recipient of the action (dative).

The Perfekt is 'hat aufgetragen'. Example: 'Ich habe Sonnencreme aufgetragen.'

Yes, German loves compound nouns. 'Sonne' + 'Creme' = 'Sonnencreme'.

Usually yes: 'die Sonnencreme'. But in general statements, you can omit it: 'Man braucht Sonnencreme.'

Say: 'Kannst du mir bitte den Rücken eincremen?' or 'Kannst du mir dort Sonnencreme auftragen?'

It is {die|f} Sonnencreme because 'Creme' is feminine.

It's the German word for SPF. You'll see it abbreviated as LSF on all bottles.

Only for external medicine like salves or gels. Not for pills.

Related Phrases

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sich eincremen

similar

To put on lotion/cream

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nachcremen

specialized form

To re-apply cream

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Sonnenschutzmittel

builds on

Sun protection agent

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Lichtschutzfaktor

builds on

Sun protection factor (SPF)

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Sonnenbrand bekommen

contrast

To get a sunburn

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