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 6At the beach with a friend
Ich muss erst noch Sonnencreme auftragen.
I have to apply sunscreen first.
A mother talking to her child
Komm her, ich muss dir Sonnencreme auftragen.
Come here, I need to put sunscreen on you.
A doctor giving advice
Sie sollten alle zwei Stunden Sonnencreme auftragen.
You should apply sunscreen every two hours.
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.
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!
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.
LSF vs SPF
In Germany, look for 'LSF' (Lichtschutzfaktor) on the bottle. It's the same as SPF.
Examples
6Ich muss erst noch Sonnencreme auftragen.
I have to apply sunscreen first.
A very common way to delay jumping into the water.
Komm her, ich muss dir Sonnencreme auftragen.
Come here, I need to put sunscreen on you.
Shows the transitive use of the verb.
Sie sollten alle zwei Stunden Sonnencreme auftragen.
You should apply sunscreen every two hours.
Formal advice using the modal verb 'sollten'.
Hast du schon Sonnencreme aufgetragen? Die Sonne ist stark!
Have you applied sunscreen yet? The sun is strong!
Uses the perfect tense 'aufgetragen'.
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.
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 ___.
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?
'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 ___.
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'?
This is standard instructional language for skincare products.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Auftragen vs. Anziehen
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIch ___ mir heute viel Sonnencreme ___.
In a main clause, the separable verb 'auftragen' splits: 'trage' in second position, 'auf' at the end.
Which one is right?
'Auftragen' is a strong verb (tragen -> getragen). 'Gemacht' is the wrong verb for cream.
A: Hast du dich schon eingecremt? B: Nein, ich ___ mir jetzt die Sonnencreme ___.
The speaker is responding to 'eincremen' with the more specific 'auftragen'.
Where would you most likely see: 'Tragen Sie das Produkt großzügig auf'?
This is standard instructional language for skincare products.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, 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
sich eincremen
similarTo put on lotion/cream
nachcremen
specialized formTo re-apply cream
Sonnenschutzmittel
builds onSun protection agent
Lichtschutzfaktor
builds onSun protection factor (SPF)
Sonnenbrand bekommen
contrastTo get a sunburn