verb

aufnehmen

take · record · take in · begin

Etwas annehmen, sammeln oder beginnen, zum Beispiel ein Foto machen oder jemanden in eine Gruppe lassen.

Definition & meaning

aufnehmen is a separable German verb with several related meanings:

To take in, absorb, or ingest
- Used for food, liquid, substances, or information.
- Der Körper nimmt Wasser auf. — “The body absorbs water.”
- It can also mean to take in information: Informationen aufnehmen — “to absorb or process information.”
To record
- To make an audio, video, or photographic recording.
- einen Film aufnehmen — “to record a film”
- ein Gespräch aufnehmen — “to record a conversation”
To receive, admit, or accept someone
- To take someone into a group, institution, household, or organization.
- einen Schüler aufnehmen — “to admit a student”
- Flüchtlinge aufnehmen — “to take in refugees”
To resume or take up again
- To continue an activity after an interruption.
- die Arbeit wieder aufnehmen — “to resume work”
- Verhandlungen aufnehmen — “to begin or resume negotiations”
To accommodate or house someone
- To provide someone with a place to stay.
- Gäste aufnehmen — “to accommodate guests”
To pick up or answer
- Especially a telephone call.
- das Telefon aufnehmen — “to answer the phone”

Grammar & Word origin

aufnehmen is a separable, irregular verb.

Infinitive: aufnehmen
Present tense, third-person singular: nimmt auf
Simple past: nahm auf
Past participle: aufgenommen
Auxiliary verb: haben

Example:

Sie nimmt das Gespräch auf. — “She is recording the conversation.”
Sie hat das Gespräch aufgenommen. — “She recorded the conversation.”

The verb consists of the prefix auf- and nehmen , meaning “to take.” The basic idea is therefore “to take up,” which developed into meanings such as taking in, recording, accepting, or resuming.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

absorbieren — “to absorb”; more formal and usually used for substances, energy, or information.
aufzeichnen — “to record”; more precise than aufnehmen when referring specifically to making a recording.
registrieren — “to register” or “to record”; emphasizes officially entering or documenting something.
akzeptieren — “to accept”; focuses on approval, whereas aufnehmen often means admitting or taking someone into a group.
unterbringen — “to accommodate” or “to provide lodging”; emphasizes finding a place for someone.
fortsetzen — “to continue”; applies to the meaning of resuming an activity, while aufnehmen often suggests starting it again after a pause.

Antonyms

The antonym depends on the particular meaning:

ablehnen — “to reject,” opposite of accepting or admitting someone.
entlassen — “to dismiss” or “to release,” opposite of admitting someone to an institution or group.
abgeben — “to give away” or “to hand over,” opposite of taking in or receiving.
löschen — “to delete” or “to erase,” opposite of recording or storing.
unterbrechen — “to interrupt,” opposite of resuming or continuing an activity.