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verb

aufstauen

build up · bottle up

Definition & meaning

Aufstauen means to hold something back so that it collects or builds up.

  • Literally, it means to dam up or block the flow of water: to make water accumulate behind a barrier.
  • Figuratively, it means to let something build up, such as anger, pressure, or tension.
  • In the reflexive form sich aufstauen, it can mean to build up or accumulate. For example, traffic or emotions may build up when they cannot move or be released.

Grammar & Word origin

Aufstauen is a separable, regular verb: staute auf, hat aufgestaut. It is commonly used with an object (etwas aufstauen) or reflexively (sich aufstauen).

It consists of auf- and stauen . The prefix auf- contributes the sense of something accumulating or being held back.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms vary by context:

  • anstauen — especially similar when water or another substance is made to collect behind an obstruction.
  • ansammeln — means to accumulate or gather; it does not necessarily imply that something is being held back.
  • zurückhalten — means to hold back or restrain, often deliberately; it emphasizes the act of restraint more than the resulting build-up.

Possible antonyms, depending on context:

  • abfließen — for water or another liquid, to flow away.
  • abbauen — to reduce or relieve something built up, such as stress or tension.
  • entladen — to release accumulated energy or emotion.

Common phrases & collocations

  • Wasser aufstauen — to dam up water: Wasser , aufstauen
  • Wut aufstauen — to let anger build up: Wut , aufstauen
  • Druck aufstauen — to let pressure build up: Druck , aufstauen
  • sich im Verkehr aufstauen — for traffic to back up: Verkehr , aufstauen

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Examples

Emotionen stauen sich oft unbemerkt auf.verb

Emotions often build up unnoticed.

Hast du bemerkt, wie viele Probleme sich im Laufe der letzten Woche aufstauten?verb

Did you notice how many problems built up over the course of the last week?

Es ist nicht gesund, wenn man seinen Ärger über lange Zeit einfach nur aufstaut.verb

It is not healthy if you just bottle up your anger over a long period of time.

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