aufbringen
to raise
To obtain or provide needed financial means or resources.
EXAMPLE
Die Gemeinde muss eine hohe Summe aufbringen, um die Schule zu sanieren.
The municipality has to raise a large sum to renovate the school.
aufbringen
to raise / upset
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Meanings
aufbringen
to upset
To make someone angry or annoyed.
EXAMPLE
Seine ständige Kritik bringt mich langsam wirklich auf.
His constant criticism is slowly really upsetting me.
aufbringen
to open
To open a locked door, a lock, or a container, often with effort or force.
EXAMPLE
Der Schlüsseldienst konnte die zugefallene Tür schnell wieder aufbringen.
The locksmith was quickly able to open the door that had slammed shut.
aufbringen
to apply
To apply a layer of a material, such as paint, varnish, or cream, to a surface.
EXAMPLE
Nach der Grundierung wird der Maler morgen die finale Farbschicht aufbringen.
After the primer, the painter will apply the final coat of paint tomorrow.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Aufbringen' is a separable verb. The prefix 'auf' comes at the end in a main clause, stays attached to the verb in a subordinate clause, and in the infinitive 'zu' comes between them.
EXAMPLE
Er bringt die nötige Geduld für dieses Projekt auf.
He musters the necessary patience for this project.
Context clue: object
The meaning of 'aufbringen' is best recognized by its object. If it is money or means, it is about obtaining or raising something. If the object is a person, it is about anger. With a door, it is about opening, and with paint, it is about applying.
EXAMPLE
Die Firma konnte die finanziellen Mittel nicht mehr aufbringen.
The company could no longer raise the financial means.
Typical collocations
In this meaning, 'aufbringen' is often combined with abstract resources. Typical phrases are: 'Geld aufbringen' (to raise money), 'die Kosten aufbringen' (to cover the costs), 'Geduld aufbringen' (to muster patience), or 'Verständnis aufbringen' (to show understanding).
EXAMPLE
Ich kann für sein Verhalten kein Verständnis aufbringen.
I can't show any understanding for his behavior.
Sentence structure with anger
When 'aufbringen' means 'ärgern' (to annoy/upset), the person who becomes angry is always the accusative object of the sentence. The thing or person causing the anger is the subject.
EXAMPLE
Diese Ungerechtigkeit bringt mich wirklich auf.
This injustice really upsets me.
Compare with
aufbringen vs auftragen
to apply / assign
Aufbringen and auftragen can both mean spreading a layer over a surface. Auftragen is the usual standard choice for this. Aufbringen often sounds more technical or places greater emphasis on the completed layer, for example a protective coating in a work instruction.
aufbringen
Die Fachanweisung verlangt, eine dünne Schutzschicht auf das Metall aufzubringen.
The technical instructions require applying a thin protective coating to the metal.
auftragen
Der Maler trägt eine dünne Schutzschicht gleichmäßig auf das Metall auf.
The painter applies a thin protective coating evenly to the metal.
In real life
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