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preposition · A2 · often · UK/US

auf

onto

Meaning of auf

to a position on a surface or place

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A2often

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Pronunciation
German/aʊ̯f/
onto
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auf with English translation

auf usage examples

Usage examples will appear here with translation and context.

Learn by topic

auf belongs to the topic "Top 2500". Start with a short 7-word set so the word is easier to remember in context.

aufonto
inin
aufon
überover
unterunder
vorbefore
nachafter

auf synonyms

Related word breakdowns

What's the difference between auf / hinauf auf / drauf / an / in / zu

🇩🇪German
auf

onto — to a position on a surface or place

A2Often
H
🇩🇪German
hinauf auf

A colloquial phrase meaning movement upward onto a surface; less neutral than simple "auf".

A2Rarely

Er kletterte hinauf auf den Zaun.

Он забрался на забор.

D
🇩🇪German
drauf

Very colloquial short form of "darauf"; often used in speech instead of "auf".

A2Very Often

Leg das Buch drauf.

Положи книгу сверху.

A
🇩🇪German
an

General preposition meaning "on/at/to"; for surfaces, it is used when something touches a vertical or bounded surface.

A1Very Often

Das Bild hängt an der Wand.

Картина висит на стене.

I
🇩🇪German
in

Means "in" and does not match "auf"; used for being inside something, not on a surface.

A1Very Often

Das Buch liegt in der Tasche.

Книга лежит в сумке.

Z
🇩🇪German
zu

Means direction "to/toward"; it does not indicate a surface, but a goal of movement.

A1Very Often

Wir gehen zu meiner Freundin.

Мы идём к моей подруге.

H
🇩🇪German
hinauf

Emphasizes upward movement; usually used without naming a surface, so it is closer to "up" than to "onto".

A2Often

Wir gehen den Berg hinauf.

Мы идём вверх по горе.

N
🇩🇪German
nach

Means "after" or direction to a place/city; it does not correspond to the meaning "onto a surface".

A1Very Often

Nach dem Essen gehen wir spazieren.

После еды мы пойдём гулять.

What's the difference

Related words and lists for auf

How to pronounce auf and what this word means

auf translation: onto. This page includes translation, pronunciation, transcription, audio, usage examples and related words.

how to pronounce auf

/aʊ̯f/

auf translation

onto

auf transcription

/aʊ̯f/

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Translation and meaningPronunciation and transcriptionExamples, synonyms, and topics

Questions about this word

auf meaning: what does it mean?

zu einer Position auf einer Oberfläche oder an einem Ort

auf pronunciation: how do you pronounce it?

auf is pronounced as /aʊ̯f/. Audio is available on this page when the word has a recording.

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