aufblasen
to inflate
To fill something with air or gas so that it becomes larger and fuller.
EXAMPLE
Wir müssen noch die Luftmatratze für unseren Gast aufblasen.
We still need to inflate the air mattress for our guest.
aufblasen
to inflate / blow up
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Meanings
etwas aufblasen
to blow up
To artificially enlarge a situation or problem and make it seem more important than it is.
EXAMPLE
Die Medien neigen dazu, kleine Skandale zu riesigen Affären aufzublasen.
The media tend to blow up small scandals into huge affairs.
sich aufblasen
to puff oneself up
To take oneself very seriously and behave arrogantly or boastfully.
EXAMPLE
Seit seiner Beförderung bläst er sich vor seinen alten Kollegen ständig auf.
Since his promotion, he has constantly been puffing himself up in front of his old colleagues.
sich aufblasen
to bloat
The swelling of a body part, especially the stomach, due to gas.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem schweren Essen fühlte sich sein Bauch wie aufgeblasen an.
After the heavy meal, his stomach felt bloated.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Aufblasen' (to inflate, to blow up) is a separable verb. The prefix 'auf' comes at the end in a main clause, but stays attached to the verb in a subordinate clause. In the infinitive with 'zu', 'zu' is placed between 'auf' and 'blasen'.
EXAMPLE
Er bläst den Reifen mit einer Pumpe auf.
He inflates the tire with a pump.
Word structure
The verb consists of 'auf' and 'blasen' (to blow). The prefix 'auf-' here reinforces the idea of becoming bigger and increasing in volume. This logic connects the literal meaning (air mattress) with the figurative meanings (problem, ego).
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder lieben es, Seifenblasen aufzublasen, bis sie platzen.
The children love blowing up soap bubbles until they burst.
Reflexive use
The reflexive form 'sich aufblasen' has two meanings: either a person behaves arrogantly, or a body part swells up. The non-reflexive form always refers to making an object bigger, either literally or figuratively.
EXAMPLE
Er neigt dazu, sich mit seinem Wissen aufzublasen.
He tends to puff himself up with his knowledge.
Typical collocations
In the literal meaning, 'aufblasen' (to inflate) is typically used with objects that are filled with air. These include: 'einen Luftballon aufblasen' (to inflate a balloon), 'einen Reifen aufblasen' (to inflate a tire), 'eine Luftmatratze aufblasen' (to inflate an air mattress), or 'ein Schlauchboot aufblasen' (to inflate an inflatable boat).
EXAMPLE
Kannst du mir helfen, das Schlauchboot für die Kinder aufzublasen?
Can you help me inflate the inflatable boat for the children?
Sentence structure and usage pattern
When exaggerating a situation, the structure 'etwas (Akkusativ) zu etwas (Dativ) aufblasen' (to blow something up into something) is often used. This emphasizes the exaggerated result.
EXAMPLE
Du solltest eine kleine Meinungsverschiedenheit nicht zu einem großen Streit aufblasen.
You shouldn't blow up a small disagreement into a big argument.
Compare with
aufblasen vs übertreiben
to exaggerate
Übertreiben generally means presenting something as bigger, more important, or worse than it is. Aufblasen emphasizes more strongly that a situation is artificially enlarged and made to seem more important. Übertreiben works for any exaggerated portrayal; when something is deliberately inflated, aufblasen is more precise.
aufblasen
Paul bläst den kleinen Fehler künstlich zu einem großen Problem auf.
Paul artificially blows the minor mistake up into a major problem.
übertreiben
Paul übertreibt die Schwierigkeiten des kleinen Fehlers deutlich.
Paul clearly exaggerates the difficulties caused by the minor mistake.
In real life
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