aufgehen
to open
To open; to no longer be closed.
EXAMPLE
Plötzlich ging die Tür von alleine auf.
Suddenly the door opened by itself.
aufgehen
to open / rise / work out
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Meanings
aufgehen
to rise
To appear on the horizon and gain height, referring to celestial bodies such as the sun or moon.
EXAMPLE
Wir standen früh auf, um zu sehen, wie die Sonne über den Bergen aufgeht.
We got up early to see the sun rise over the mountains.
aufgehen
to rise
To increase in volume, especially dough through the effect of yeast or baked goods in the oven.
EXAMPLE
Lass den Pizzateig an einem warmen Ort stehen, damit er schön aufgeht.
Leave the pizza dough in a warm place so that it rises nicely.
aufgehen
to work out
In mathematics, to produce a result without a remainder.
EXAMPLE
Die Rechnung geht nicht auf, es bleibt ein Rest von zwei.
The calculation doesn't work out; there is a remainder of two.
in etwas aufgehen
to be absorbed in
To devote oneself to something with full dedication and passion, so that it becomes one's purpose in life.
EXAMPLE
Seit der Geburt ihres Kindes geht sie in ihrer Mutterrolle voll auf.
Since the birth of her child, she has been completely absorbed in her role as a mother.
aufgehen
to come undone
To come loose or open by itself, for example with a knot, seam, or zipper.
EXAMPLE
Die Naht an meiner Hosentasche ist aufgegangen.
The seam on my trouser pocket has come undone.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Aufgehen' (to open / rise / work out) is a separable verb. The prefix 'auf-' comes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Jeden Morgen geht die Sonne um sechs Uhr auf.
Every morning the sun rises at six o'clock.
The prefix 'auf-'
The prefix 'auf-' often indicates an opening or an upward movement. You can see this in meanings such as a door that opens, the sun that rises, or dough that rises.
EXAMPLE
Der Hefeteig muss an einem warmen Ort eine Stunde lang aufgehen.
The yeast dough needs to rise in a warm place for an hour.
Fixed expression
The expression 'in etwas aufgehen' means to devote oneself fully and completely to something. The thing one devotes oneself to is in the dative after the preposition 'in'.
EXAMPLE
Er ist ein leidenschaftlicher Gärtner und geht total in seiner Gartenarbeit auf.
He is a passionate gardener and is totally absorbed in his gardening.
Mathematics & metaphor
The mathematical meaning is often used figuratively. When a plan or idea 'nicht aufgeht' (doesn't work out), it means that it does not work or is not successful.
EXAMPLE
Sein Plan, ohne Ticket ins Konzert zu kommen, ist nicht aufgegangen.
His plan to get into the concert without a ticket did not work out.
Context: the sky
When 'aufgehen' (to rise) describes a movement in the sky, the subjects are almost always celestial bodies. Typical subjects are 'die Sonne' (the sun), 'der Mond' (the moon), or 'ein Stern' (a star).
EXAMPLE
In dieser klaren Nacht kann man viele Sterne aufgehen sehen.
On this clear night, you can see many stars rise.
Context: baking
In the kitchen, especially when baking, 'aufgehen' (to rise) means that something increases in volume. Typical subjects are 'der Teig' (the dough), 'der Kuchen' (the cake), or 'das Soufflé' (the soufflé).
EXAMPLE
Damit der Kuchen schön aufgeht, darfst du die Ofentür nicht zu früh öffnen.
So that the cake rises nicely, you must not open the oven door too early.
Context: fastenings
When something that was fastened comes loose by itself, you use 'aufgehen' (to come undone). Typical subjects are 'ein Knoten' (a knot), 'eine Schleife' (a bow), 'eine Naht' (a seam), or 'ein Reißverschluss' (a zipper).
EXAMPLE
Pass auf, dein Schnürsenkel ist aufgegangen!
Watch out, your shoelace has come undone!
Compare with
aufgehen vs heben
to lift
“Sich heben” and “aufgehen” can both describe yeast dough gaining volume. “Aufgehen” is the usual term for the process, while “sich heben” places more emphasis on the visible upward movement. In baking, “aufgehen” is usually the more natural choice.
aufgehen
Der Hefeteig geht langsam in der warmen Schüssel auf.
The yeast dough is slowly rising in the warm bowl.
heben
Der Hefeteig hebt sich langsam in der warmen Schüssel.
The yeast dough is slowly rising in the warm bowl.
In real life
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