aufheben
lift · pick up
Etwas vom Boden nehmen oder etwas beenden und nicht mehr weitermachen.
The German word "aufheben" is a verb composed of "auf" (up/on) and "heben" (to lift). It has two main meanings:
- To pick up (physically lift something from the ground).
- To abolish/cancel/revoke (e.g., a law, regulation, or agreement).
Similar words include:
- For "pick up": einsammeln (to collect), auflesen (to pick up, especially from the ground).
- For "abolish": abschaffen (to abolish), aufheben (here syn. to "annullieren" - to annul).
Difference:
"aufheben" uniquely combines the physical action and the figurative meaning of "lifting up" or "ending" something, while synonyms usually focus on one meaning (either literal or figurative) only.
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Examples
Ich kann das nicht aufheben.verb
I cannot lift that.
Er hebt seinen Pass vom Boden auf.verb
He picks up his passport from the floor.
Können Sie bitte den Stift aufheben?verb
Can you please pick up the pen?
Sie hebt die Zeitung vom Boden auf.verb
She picks up the newspaper from the floor.
Er hebt das Papier auf dem Boden auf.verb
He picks up the paper on the floor.
Er hebt den Stift auf.verb
He picks up the pen.
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