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A2 verb #1,500 most common 11 min read

aufgeben

Top 1,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips aufgeben in 30 Seconds

Explanation aufgeben in your Level:

At the A1 level, the verb aufgeben is introduced primarily in its most basic and dramatic sense: to give up or to surrender. Beginners learn this word as a simple, fixed expression to communicate that a task is too difficult or that they cannot continue. The most common phrase taught at this stage is 'Ich gebe auf' (I give up). This is incredibly useful for learners when they are playing a game, trying to solve a puzzle, or even struggling with a difficult German grammar exercise. Because A1 learners are just beginning to grasp the concept of separable verbs, aufgeben serves as an excellent, highly memorable example. The prefix 'auf' moves to the end of the sentence, which is a fundamental rule that beginners must practice repeatedly. Teachers will often use gestures, like throwing their hands in the air, to visually demonstrate the meaning of 'Ich gebe auf'. While the logistical meanings (like posting a letter) exist, they are usually reserved for later levels to avoid overwhelming the student. At A1, the focus is strictly on recognizing the word in simple present tense sentences, understanding its core meaning of surrender, and being able to pronounce the 'e' to 'i' vowel shift in the third person singular ('er gibt auf'). By mastering this single, powerful phrase, A1 learners gain a vital tool for expressing their limits and asking for help in a natural, native-like manner.

At the A2 level, the understanding of aufgeben expands significantly beyond just saying 'I give up'. Learners at this stage begin to use the verb transitively, meaning they start attaching objects to it. They learn to express giving up specific things, such as a hobby, a habit, or a plan. For example, sentences like 'Ich gebe das Rauchen auf' (I am giving up smoking) or 'Er gibt seinen Plan auf' (He is giving up his plan) become standard vocabulary. This requires a solid grasp of the accusative case, as the thing being given up must be in the accusative. Furthermore, A2 learners are introduced to the perfect tense, which is crucial for talking about past events. They learn the past participle 'aufgegeben' and practice forming sentences like 'Wir haben das Spiel aufgegeben' (We gave up the game). This level also introduces the first alternative meaning of aufgeben: to post or send something. In practical vocabulary units covering the post office or travel, students learn phrases like 'einen Brief aufgeben' (to post a letter) or 'Gepäck aufgeben' (to check in luggage). This dual meaning challenges A2 learners to rely on context to understand the sentence. By practicing both the emotional sense of surrendering and the practical sense of dispatching, A2 students build a more robust and flexible vocabulary, preparing them for the more complex texts and conversations encountered at the intermediate level.

At the B1 level, learners are expected to handle aufgeben with confidence across all its primary meanings and in various grammatical structures. The logistical uses become highly prominent as students learn to navigate everyday adult situations in German-speaking countries. Placing an advertisement ('eine Anzeige aufgeben') or placing an order ('eine Bestellung aufgeben') are key phrases mastered at this stage. The distinction between 'aufgeben' (to assign/post) and 'abgeben' (to hand in) is heavily emphasized, as confusing the two is a classic B1 error. Students also begin to encounter aufgeben in subordinate clauses, requiring them to keep the separable verb intact at the end of the sentence, e.g., 'Ich bin traurig, weil er seinen Traum aufgibt' (I am sad because he is giving up his dream). The use of aufgeben with modal verbs is also solidified, allowing for nuanced expressions like 'Du darfst nicht aufgeben' (You must not give up). Furthermore, B1 learners start reading longer texts, such as news articles or short stories, where they will see aufgeben used in broader contexts, such as a company abandoning a project or an athlete withdrawing from a tournament. The ability to seamlessly switch between the meanings of surrendering, posting, and assigning, while maintaining perfect grammatical accuracy with separable prefixes and strong verb conjugations, is a hallmark of B1 proficiency.

At the B2 level, the use of aufgeben becomes much more abstract and nuanced. Learners are no longer just talking about giving up games or posting letters; they are discussing complex psychological and professional situations. Phrases like 'die Hoffnung aufgeben' (to give up hope), 'seinen Beruf aufgeben' (to give up one's profession), or 'Widerstand aufgeben' (to give up resistance) become part of their active vocabulary. At this stage, learners are expected to understand and use the verb in the passive voice, such as 'Das Paket wurde gestern aufgegeben' (The parcel was posted yesterday). They also delve into the noun forms derived from the verb, primarily 'die Aufgabe' (the task/assignment/surrender) and 'die Gepäckaufgabe' (baggage drop-off), and learn how to use them in formal writing and presentations. B2 students must also be able to distinguish aufgeben from a wider array of synonyms, such as verzichten auf, kapitulieren, and nachgeben, choosing the exact right word for the specific tone and context of their sentence. The verb is frequently encountered in argumentative essays, debates, and advanced listening comprehension exercises, such as podcasts or news broadcasts. Mastery at the B2 level means that the learner can use aufgeben spontaneously, accurately, and with a deep understanding of its cultural and emotional connotations in the German language.

At the C1 level, learners possess a near-native command of aufgeben, utilizing it effortlessly in highly formal, academic, and literary contexts. The focus shifts to stylistic elegance and the use of idiomatic expressions. C1 users understand the subtle implications of giving up a position of power ('sein Amt aufgeben') or abandoning a deeply held belief ('seine Prinzipien aufgeben'). They encounter the verb in complex syntactic structures, such as extended participial phrases or subjunctive II constructions ('Er hätte fast aufgegeben, wenn...' - He would have almost given up, if...). At this advanced stage, learners also explore less common, highly specific usages, such as in chess ('die Partie aufgeben') or in legal contexts. The ability to play with the language becomes apparent; a C1 learner might use aufgeben metaphorically or recognize its use in classic German literature and poetry. Furthermore, they are completely comfortable with the nominalized infinitive 'das Aufgeben' (the act of giving up), using it as a subject or object in philosophical or psychological discussions ('Das Aufgeben ist keine Option' - Giving up is not an option). Errors with separation or conjugation are virtually non-existent at this level. The C1 learner's relationship with aufgeben is characterized by precision, recognizing exactly when this verb is the most impactful choice compared to its high-register synonyms.

At the C2 level, the mastery of aufgeben is absolute, reflecting the linguistic intuition of an educated native speaker. C2 users can dissect the etymological roots of the word and understand its historical semantic shifts. They can engage in deep literary analysis, discussing how an author uses the concept of 'aufgeben' to develop a character's tragic arc. The verb is used flawlessly in the most complex and convoluted sentence structures, including archaic or highly stylized forms found in classical texts. C2 learners are acutely aware of regional variations and subtle register shifts; they know exactly how the impact of 'aufgeben' changes when spoken in a casual dialect versus when written in a formal legal decree. They can effortlessly generate and understand highly specific collocations, such as 'den Geist aufgeben' (to give up the ghost / to break down, used for machines or people dying). At this pinnacle of language proficiency, aufgeben is not just a vocabulary word to be translated; it is a conceptual tool used to articulate profound human experiences of loss, transition, administrative procedure, and ultimate surrender, manipulated with the utmost rhetorical skill and cultural sensitivity.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

aufgeben in 30 Seconds

To surrender or stop trying.
To post a letter or parcel.
To check in luggage at the airport.
To assign homework or a task.

The German verb aufgeben is an exceptionally versatile and frequently used word that carries multiple distinct meanings depending entirely on the context in which it is employed. At its core, the most common and universally recognized translation of aufgeben is to give up, to surrender, or to abandon a fight, a position, a habit, or a hope. When you are faced with an insurmountable challenge, a difficult puzzle, or a grueling physical task, and you decide that you can no longer continue, you would use this verb to express your capitulation.

Manchmal ist es besser, einfach aufzugeben.

However, the semantic range of this word extends far beyond mere surrender. In administrative, logistical, and everyday transactional contexts, aufgeben takes on a completely different meaning: to post, to dispatch, or to check in. For instance, when you go to the post office to send a parcel or a registered letter, you are performing the action of aufgeben.

Ich muss heute noch ein Paket aufgeben.

Similarly, when you arrive at the airport and hand over your heavy suitcase at the check-in counter so that it can be loaded into the cargo hold of the airplane, you are also using this exact same verb.

Wir müssen unser Gepäck am Schalter aufgeben.

Furthermore, in the realm of commerce and media, aufgeben is the standard verb used when placing an advertisement in a newspaper or on an online platform, or when placing a formal order for goods or services.

Er hat eine Anzeige in der Zeitung aufgegeben.

In educational settings, teachers use this verb when assigning homework or specific tasks to their students.

Der Lehrer hat uns viel Hausaufgaben aufgegeben.

To fully grasp the nuances of this word, one must understand its morphological structure. It is a separable verb composed of the prefix auf- and the root verb geben (to give).

Prefix Analysis: The prefix auf- often implies an upward motion, an opening, or the initiation of a process, but in combination with geben, it shifts the meaning toward relinquishing control or initiating a dispatch.

Root Verb: The verb geben means to give, hand over, or provide, which forms the foundational action of transferring something, whether it is physical luggage or abstract hope.

Separability: As a separable verb, the prefix auf moves to the end of the clause in main clauses in the present and simple past tenses, which is a crucial grammatical rule for learners to master.

The psychological weight of the word when used to mean surrender is significant in German culture, which often values perseverance and resilience. Giving up a habit, like smoking (das Rauchen aufgeben), is seen as a positive step, whereas giving up hope (die Hoffnung aufgeben) carries a deeply melancholic tone. The versatility of aufgeben makes it an indispensable part of the German vocabulary, bridging the gap between emotional states of defeat and practical, everyday logistical actions. Understanding these diverse applications is essential for any learner aiming to achieve fluency and natural expression in the German language.

Using the verb aufgeben correctly requires a solid understanding of German sentence structure, particularly the rules governing separable verbs. Because aufgeben consists of the prefix auf- and the stem geben, its conjugation and placement within a sentence change depending on the tense and the type of clause. In a standard main clause in the present tense (Präsens) or simple past tense (Präteritum), the prefix auf detaches from the stem and is placed at the very end of the sentence.

Er gibt niemals auf.

This separation creates a bracket around the rest of the sentence, a characteristic feature of German syntax known as the Satzklammer.

Wir gaben das schwere Gepäck am Flughafen auf.

When forming the perfect tense (Perfekt), the past participle is required. For aufgeben, the past participle is aufgegeben. Notice how the ge- is inserted between the prefix and the stem.

Sie hat ihren Traum aufgegeben.

In subordinate clauses, however, the verb remains unseparated and is placed at the end of the clause.

Ich weiß, dass er nicht aufgeben wird.

Furthermore, when used with modal verbs like müssen, können, or wollen, the infinitive form aufgeben is placed at the end of the sentence, remaining intact.

Du darfst jetzt nicht aufgeben!

Beyond grammar, the context dictates whether aufgeben takes an object.

Intransitive Usage: When meaning to surrender or quit a struggle, it is often intransitive (no object). Example: Die Mannschaft hat aufgegeben.

Transitive Usage (Logistics): When meaning to post or dispatch, it requires an accusative object. Example: Einen Brief aufgeben.

Transitive Usage (Habits): When meaning to quit a habit or abandon a plan, it also takes an accusative object. Example: Den Plan aufgeben.

Mastering the use of aufgeben involves practicing these structural variations until they become second nature. It is highly recommended to create flashcards that not only test the meaning of the word but also its behavior in different clause types. By consistently applying the rules of separable verbs and recognizing the context-dependent need for direct objects, learners can confidently integrate aufgeben into their active German vocabulary, ensuring precise and grammatically correct communication in a wide array of situations.

The verb aufgeben permeates various facets of daily life in German-speaking countries, making it a highly ubiquitous term that learners will encounter in numerous distinct environments. One of the most common places you will hear this word is in the context of sports and competitions. When a tennis player is injured and cannot finish the match, the commentator will announce that they had to aufgeben.

Der verletzte Spieler musste leider aufgeben.

In everyday motivational speech, whether among friends, in movies, or in self-help literature, the imperative form is frequently used to encourage perseverance.

Gib niemals auf, egal wie schwer es ist!

Transitioning to logistical environments, the post office (die Post) is a classic setting for this verb. If you are standing in line holding a package, the clerk might ask you what you want to do with it, and your response will naturally involve this word.

Ich möchte diesen Brief per Einschreiben aufgeben.

Airports provide another major context. The baggage drop-off area is often labeled or referred to using related terminology, and the action of handing over your luggage is universally described with aufgeben.

Haben Sie Gepäck zum Aufgeben?

In the realm of business and media, placing advertisements or orders is another frequent use case.

Wir haben eine Stellenanzeige im Internet aufgegeben.

Sports Context: Used to indicate that an athlete or team is conceding defeat or withdrawing due to injury or exhaustion.

Travel Context: Essential vocabulary at the airport for checking in suitcases, often heard at the Gepäckaufgabe counter.

School Context: Used by teachers to assign homework (Hausaufgaben aufgeben), making it a word every student learns early on.

Because aufgeben spans emotional, logistical, and professional domains, learners should not pigeonhole it as merely meaning 'to surrender'. By paying attention to the surrounding context—whether it involves a post office counter, a sports arena, or a classroom—you can easily deduce which specific flavor of aufgeben is being employed. This contextual awareness is key to mastering German vocabulary, as many verbs share this characteristic of having multiple, seemingly unrelated meanings tied together by a core concept of transfer or relinquishment.

When learning the verb aufgeben, students frequently encounter several stumbling blocks, primarily related to its grammar, conjugation, and multiple meanings. The most prevalent mistake involves the failure to separate the prefix from the stem in main clauses. Learners often incorrectly keep the verb intact, saying things like 'Ich aufgeben nicht' instead of the correct form.

Richtig: Ich gebe nicht auf.

Another significant error occurs during conjugation in the present tense. Because geben is a strong verb, it undergoes a vowel change from 'e' to 'i' in the second and third person singular. Many learners forget this and say 'er gebt auf' instead of the correct 'er gibt auf'.

Richtig: Er gibt das Paket auf.

In the perfect tense, mistakes are commonly made with the past participle. Some learners might invent forms like 'aufgegebt' or 'geaufgeben', failing to recognize the correct strong participle form.

Richtig: Wir haben aufgegeben.

Semantic confusion also leads to errors. Because aufgeben translates to 'give up', learners sometimes use it inappropriately for giving up a physical object to someone else, where 'abgeben' (to hand in/over) would be correct.

Falsch für Hausaufgaben einreichen: Ich muss meine Hausaufgaben aufgeben. (Das macht der Lehrer!)

Richtig für Schüler: Ich muss meine Hausaufgaben abgeben.

Separation Error: Forgetting to move 'auf' to the end of the sentence in present and simple past tenses.

Conjugation Error: Failing to apply the e-to-i vowel shift for du (gibst) and er/sie/es (gibt).

Vocabulary Mix-up: Confusing aufgeben (to surrender/post) with abgeben (to hand in) or nachgeben (to yield/give in).

To avoid these common pitfalls, it is crucial to practice aufgeben within full sentence contexts rather than isolating the word. Writing out sentences that contrast aufgeben with abgeben and nachgeben will clarify the semantic boundaries. Additionally, repeatedly conjugating the verb across different tenses and clause structures will solidify the grammatical rules, ensuring that the separation of the prefix and the strong verb vowel changes are executed flawlessly in spontaneous conversation.

The German language is rich with verbs that share the root 'geben' or convey similar concepts of surrendering, yielding, or dispatching. Understanding the subtle distinctions between these similar words is vital for achieving precision in your German expression. One closely related word is 'nachgeben', which translates to 'to yield' or 'to give in'. While aufgeben implies a complete surrender or stopping of an action, nachgeben suggests bending to pressure or conceding a point in an argument without necessarily quitting entirely.

Er wollte streiten, aber schließlich hat er nachgegeben.

Another similar term is 'kapitulieren', a direct loanword meaning 'to capitulate'. This is a more formal or military equivalent of aufgeben in the sense of surrender.

Die feindliche Armee musste kapitulieren.

When discussing the abandonment of habits or plans, 'verzichten auf' (to do without / to renounce) is often used interchangeably with aufgeben, though verzichten focuses more on the voluntary sacrifice rather than the act of quitting.

Ich werde auf Schokolade verzichten.

In the logistical sense of posting or sending, 'versenden' or 'abschicken' are excellent synonyms for aufgeben.

Ich werde das Paket morgen abschicken.

Lastly, 'abgeben' (to hand in/over) is frequently confused with aufgeben, as discussed in the common mistakes section.

Bitte geben Sie Ihre Formulare ab.

aufgeben vs. nachgeben: Aufgeben is to quit entirely; nachgeben is to yield or compromise under pressure.

aufgeben vs. abgeben: Aufgeben is to post (a letter) or assign (a task); abgeben is to hand something in (like homework or a form) to an authority.

aufgeben vs. kapitulieren: Aufgeben is the everyday word for surrendering; kapitulieren is formal, often restricted to military or dramatic contexts.

By mapping out these related verbs and understanding their specific use cases, learners can significantly enhance their vocabulary resolution. Instead of relying on a single word for all concepts related to giving or yielding, you can select the precise term that conveys your exact intended meaning, thereby sounding much more natural and fluent to native German speakers.

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Separable Verbs (Trennbare Verben)

Strong Verbs (Starke Verben) Vowel Change

Perfect Tense with 'ge-' inside the word

Accusative Case for Direct Objects

Infinitive Clauses with 'zu'

Examples by Level

Ich gebe auf.

I give up.

Separable verb: 'auf' goes to the end.

Er gibt auf.

He gives up.

Vowel change: geben -> gibt.

Wir geben nicht auf.

We are not giving up.

Negation 'nicht' comes before the separated prefix.

Gibst du auf?

Are you giving up?

Question format: Verb first, prefix last.

Bitte nicht aufgeben!

Please don't give up!

Infinitive used as an imperative.

Sie gibt schnell auf.

She gives up quickly.

Adverb 'schnell' placed before the prefix.

Ich will nicht aufgeben.

I don't want to give up.

With modal verb 'will', aufgeben stays together at the end.

Geben Sie auf?

Do you give up? (Formal)

Formal 'Sie' question.

Ich muss ein Paket aufgeben.

I have to post a parcel.

Modal verb 'muss' puts 'aufgeben' at the end.

Er hat das Rauchen aufgegeben.

He gave up smoking.

Perfect tense with past participle 'aufgegeben'.

Wir haben unser Gepäck aufgegeben.

We checked in our luggage.

Logistical meaning: to check in.

Gib deinen Traum nicht auf!

Don't give up your dream!

Imperative singular with an accusative object.

Sie gab nach zehn Minuten auf.

She gave up after ten minutes.

Simple past (Präteritum) form 'gab'.

Hast du den Brief aufgegeben?

Did you post the letter?

Perfect tense question.

Der Lehrer gibt viele Hausaufgaben auf.

The teacher assigns a lot of homework.

Meaning: to assign tasks.

Ich werde niemals aufgeben.

I will never give up.

Future tense with 'werden'.

Ich habe eine Anzeige in der Zeitung aufgegeben.

I placed an ad in the newspaper.

Collocation: eine Anzeige aufgeben.

Es ist schade, dass er sein Studium aufgibt.

It's a pity that he is giving up his studies.

Subordinate clause: verb stays together at the end.

Wir mussten den Plan wegen des Wetters aufgeben.

We had to abandon the plan because of the weather.

Modal verb in simple past + infinitive.

Wo kann ich hier mein Gepäck aufgeben?

Where can I check my luggage here?

Question word + modal verb structure.

Er weigert sich, die Hoffnung aufzugeben.

He refuses to give up hope.

Infinitive clause with 'zu' (aufzugeben).

Die Mannschaft hat in der zweiten Halbzeit aufgegeben.

The team gave up in the second half.

Intransitive use in sports context.

Ich gebe das Paket morgen bei der Post auf.

I will post the parcel at the post office tomorrow.

Present tense used for future action.

Obwohl es schwer war, hat sie nicht aufgegeben.

Although it was hard, she didn't give up.

Concessive clause (Obwohl) followed by main clause.

Nach langem Kampf musste die feindliche Armee ihre Stellung aufgeben.

After a long battle, the enemy army had to surrender its position.

Formal military context.

Das Paket wurde gestern am Schalter aufgegeben.

The parcel was posted at the counter yesterday.

Passive voice (wurde... aufgegeben).

Es fällt ihm schwer, seine alten Gewohnheiten aufzugeben.

It is hard for him to give up his old habits.

'Es fällt schwer' + zu-infinitive.

Sie hat ihren sicheren Job aufgegeben, um sich selbstständig zu machen.

She gave up her secure job to start her own business.

Complex sentence with 'um... zu' clause.

Mein altes Auto hat gestern endgültig den Geist aufgegeben.

My old car finally gave up the ghost (broke down) yesterday.

Idiom: den Geist aufgeben.

Der Arzt riet ihm dringend, den Alkoholkonsum aufzugeben.

The doctor urgently advised him to give up alcohol consumption.

Indirect command with zu-infinitive.

Wir dürfen unsere Prinzipien nicht für kurzfristigen Profit aufgeben.

We must not abandon our principles for short-term profit.

Abstract noun (Prinzipien) as direct object.

Trotz der aussichtslosen Lage dachte niemand ans Aufgeben.

Despite the hopeless situation, no one thought of giving up.

Nominalized verb: das Aufgeben.

Der Politiker sah sich gezwungen, sein Amt aufzugeben.

The politician found himself forced to resign from his office.

High register vocabulary (Amt aufgeben).

Ein solches Vorhaben aufzugeben, käme einem Eingeständnis des Scheiterns gleich.

To abandon such a project would be tantamount to an admission of failure.

Subjunctive II (käme... gleich) with infinitive subject.

Er hat das Rätsel nach stundenlangem Grübeln frustriert aufgegeben.

He gave up on the puzzle in frustration after hours of pondering.

Adverbial phrases of time and manner.

Die Suchaktion wurde nach drei Tagen ergebnislos aufgegeben.

The search operation was abandoned without result after three days.

Passive voice in official reporting style.

Sich selbst aufzugeben ist die größte Gefahr in einer tiefen Krise.

Giving oneself up is the greatest danger in a deep crisis.

Reflexive use in a psychological context.

Dem Angeklagten wurde aufgegeben, sich wöchentlich bei der Polizei zu melden.

The defendant was ordered to report to the police weekly.

Legal context: 'jemandem etwas aufgeben' (to order someone).

Sie hat ihre Ansprüche auf das Erbe freiwillig aufgegeben.

She voluntarily relinquished her claims to the inheritance.

Abstract legal object (Ansprüche).

Kaum hatte er den Brief aufgegeben, bereute er den Inhalt.

Hardly had he posted the letter when he regretted its contents.

Past perfect (Plusquamperfekt) in a 'Kaum...' construction.

Die vollkommene Hingabe erfordert es, das eigene Ego aufzugeben.

Complete devotion requires relinquishing one's own ego.

Philosophical context.

In Anbetracht der erdrückenden Beweislast blieb ihm nichts anderes übrig, als den Widerstand aufzugeben.

In light of the overwhelming burden of proof, he had no choice but to give up his resistance.

Highly complex sentence structure with prepositional phrase.

Das Aufgeben von Souveränitätsrechten zugunsten einer supranationalen Organisation ist stets umstritten.

The relinquishment of sovereign rights in favor of a supranational organization is always controversial.

Academic/political discourse.

Der alte Motor röchelte noch einmal auf, bevor er endgültig den Geist aufgab.

The old engine wheezed one last time before finally giving up the ghost.

Literary/descriptive style using an idiom.

Ihm war die Aufgabe aufgegeben worden, das Archiv zu digitalisieren.

He had been assigned the task of digitizing the archive.

Passive past perfect (war... aufgegeben worden).

Man darf den Kampf für Gerechtigkeit niemals als verloren aufgeben.

One must never abandon the fight for justice as lost.

Construction with 'als' (as lost).

Ihre anfängliche Skepsis hatte sie längst aufgegeben.

She had long since abandoned her initial skepticism.

Past perfect indicating a completed internal change.

Der Autor beschreibt meisterhaft den Moment, in dem der Protagonist sich selbst aufgibt.

The author masterfully describes the moment in which the protagonist gives himself up.

Literary analysis context.

Common Collocations

die Hoffnung aufgeben

ein Paket aufgeben

das Rauchen aufgeben

Gepäck aufgeben

eine Anzeige aufgeben

den Kampf aufgeben

seinen Job aufgeben

Hausaufgaben aufgeben

den Geist aufgeben

Widerstand aufgeben

Common Phrases

Ich gebe auf.

Gib nicht auf!

ein Paket bei der Post aufgeben

den Geist aufgeben

die Hoffnung nicht aufgeben

sich selbst aufgeben

ein Spiel aufgeben

eine Bestellung aufgeben

eine Suchaktion aufgeben

sein Amt aufgeben

Often Confused With

aufgeben vs abgeben

aufgeben vs nachgeben

aufgeben vs ausgeben

Idioms & Expressions

"den Geist aufgeben"

"die Flinte ins Korn werfen (similar meaning)"

"die Segel streichen (similar meaning)"

"das Handtuch werfen (similar meaning)"

"klein beigeben (similar meaning)"

"die Waffen strecken (similar meaning)"

"die Hoffnung stirbt zuletzt (related concept)"

"am Ball bleiben (antonym idiom)"

"die Zähne zusammenbeißen (antonym idiom)"

"nicht lockerlassen (antonym idiom)"

Easily Confused

aufgeben vs

Sentence Patterns

How to Use It

nuances

The emotional weight changes drastically based on the object. Giving up smoking is positive; giving up hope is tragic.

formality

Can be used in both highly formal (resigning an office) and very informal (quitting a video game) contexts.

Common Mistakes

Forgetting to separate the prefix 'auf' in main clauses.
Saying 'er gebt auf' instead of the correct 'er gibt auf'.
Using 'aufgeben' instead of 'abgeben' for handing in homework.
Forming the past participle incorrectly as 'geaufgeben' instead of 'aufgegeben'.
Using the dative case for the direct object instead of the accusative.

Tips

Watch the Vowel

Always remember that 'geben' is a strong verb. The vowel changes from 'e' to 'i' for 'du' and 'er/sie/es'. Say 'er gibt auf', never 'er gebt auf'.

Post Office Essential

If you are in a German-speaking country, you will need this word at the post office. Memorize the phrase 'ein Paket aufgeben' (to post a parcel).

Give up the Ghost

Impress native speakers by using 'den Geist aufgeben' when your phone battery dies or your car breaks down. It's a very natural-sounding idiom.

Send 'auf' to the End

In simple sentences, the prefix 'auf' must go to the very end before the period. 'Ich gebe heute nach der Arbeit mein schweres Paket auf.'

Aufgeben vs. Abgeben

Never use aufgeben when you mean handing in an assignment. You 'abgeben' your test to the teacher. The teacher 'gibt auf' the homework.

Stress the Prefix

When pronouncing aufgeben, the stress falls heavily on the first syllable 'auf'. This is typical for separable verbs in German.

Airport Vocabulary

Look for signs saying 'Gepäckaufgabe' at the airport. It literally means 'luggage giving-up'—the place where you check your bags.

Never Give Up

The phrase 'Gib niemals auf!' is a great motivational quote to know. It uses the imperative form for 'du'.

Perfect Tense Formation

When writing about the past, remember the 'ge' goes in the middle: auf-ge-geben. 'Er hat aufgegeben.'

Placing Ads

If you want to sell something online or in a newspaper, the verb to use is aufgeben. 'Eine Anzeige aufgeben' means to place an ad.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine throwing your hands UP (auf) to GIVE (geben) up. Or handing a package UP to the post office counter.

Word Origin

From Middle High German 'ūfgeben', Old High German 'ūfgeban'.

Cultural Context

Telling someone 'Du hast dich aufgegeben' (You have given up on yourself) is a very heavy, serious statement about their mental state.

When asking someone to surrender in a game, use the friendly 'Gibst du auf?' rather than formal commands.

Universally understood across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"Hast du schon mal ein Hobby aufgegeben?"

"Wo kann ich hier ein Paket aufgeben?"

"Wann hast du das letzte Mal bei einem Spiel aufgegeben?"

"Glaubst du, man sollte niemals aufgeben?"

"Hat dein Auto schon mal den Geist aufgegeben?"

Journal Prompts

Schreibe über eine Zeit, in der du fast aufgegeben hättest.

Welche schlechte Gewohnheit möchtest du aufgeben?

Beschreibe den Prozess, ein Paket bei der Post aufzugeben.

Warum ist es manchmal gut, aufzugeben?

Was würdest du niemals aufgeben?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Aufgeben means to give up, surrender, or post a letter/parcel. Abgeben means to hand something in, like homework to a teacher or a form to an official. If you 'geben' your homework 'auf', you are the teacher assigning it. If you 'geben' it 'ab', you are the student submitting it.

Yes, aufgeben is a separable verb. The prefix 'auf' separates from the stem 'geben' in main clauses in the present and simple past tenses. For example: 'Ich gebe das Paket auf.' In the perfect tense, it becomes 'aufgegeben'.

Because the stem 'geben' is a strong verb, it has a vowel change from 'e' to 'i' in the second and third person singular. The conjugation is: ich gebe auf, du gibst auf, er/sie/es gibt auf, wir geben auf, ihr gebt auf, sie/Sie geben auf.

This is a very common German idiom that literally translates to 'to give up the ghost'. It is used when a machine, like a car, computer, or appliance, breaks down completely and stops working. For example: 'Mein Laptop hat den Geist aufgegeben.'

Yes, when it means 'to surrender' or 'to quit trying', it is often used intransitively without an object. For example, if a game is too hard, you can simply say 'Ich gebe auf' (I give up).

You use the verb aufgeben. The correct sentence in the perfect tense is 'Ich habe mein Gepäck aufgegeben.' At the airport, the baggage drop-off counter is called 'die Gepäckaufgabe'.

The past participle is 'aufgegeben'. Notice that the 'ge-' prefix, which is typical for past participles, is inserted between the separable prefix 'auf-' and the verb stem '-geben'.

When aufgeben takes a direct object (the thing being given up or posted), it requires the accusative case. For example: 'Ich gebe den Plan (accusative) auf.' If you are assigning a task to someone, the person is in the dative: 'Der Lehrer gibt mir (dative) eine Aufgabe (accusative) auf.'

When used with a modal verb like müssen, können, or wollen, the verb aufgeben remains in its infinitive form and is placed at the very end of the sentence. It does not separate. Example: 'Ich will nicht aufgeben.'

The most common noun derived from aufgeben is 'die Aufgabe', which means the task, the assignment, or the surrender. Another form is the nominalized infinitive 'das Aufgeben', which means the act of giving up.