aufheben
to pick up
To pick something up from the floor or from a lower position with your hands.
EXAMPLE
Er bückte sich, um den heruntergefallenen Schlüssel aufzuheben.
He bent down to pick up the key that had fallen.
aufheben
to pick up / keep / cancel
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Meanings
aufheben
to keep
To keep or save something for later use.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe alle alten Fotos aus meiner Kindheit aufgehoben.
I kept all the old photos from my childhood.
aufheben
to cancel
To declare a rule, law, decision, or provision invalid and put it out of force.
EXAMPLE
Das Gericht hat das umstrittene Urteil in der zweiten Instanz aufgehoben.
The court canceled the controversial ruling in the second instance.
sich aufheben
to cancel each other out
To balance out or neutralize each other so that no effect remains.
EXAMPLE
Die Vorteile und Nachteile dieser Methode heben sich gegenseitig auf.
The advantages and disadvantages of this method cancel each other out.
sich gut aufgehoben fühlen
to feel well looked after
To feel safe, comfortable, and well cared for in a place or with certain people.
EXAMPLE
Bei seinen Großeltern fühlt sich das Kind immer gut aufgehoben.
The child always feels well looked after at his grandparents' house.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Aufheben' is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'auf' goes at the end of the sentence. In subordinate clauses or in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb is not separated.
EXAMPLE
Sie hebt den Stift vom Boden auf.
She picks the pen up from the floor.
Word structure
The verb consists of 'auf' and 'heben' (to lift). The literal meaning 'hochheben' (to lift up) (meaning 1) is the basis for the other, more abstract meanings: you 'hebst' something 'auf' in order to keep it, or you 'hebst' a rule 'auf' in order to make it invalid.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du bitte das Buch aufheben?
Can you please pick up the book?
Context clue
You can recognize this meaning by the fact that it is always about a concrete, physical object that is in a lower place (e.g. on the floor, on the table).
EXAMPLE
Er hat die Münze aufgehoben, die ihm aus der Tasche gefallen war.
He picked up the coin that had fallen out of his pocket.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'aufbewahren' (to keep/store), the verb is often combined with things that have personal or practical value. Typical examples are: 'den Kassenbon aufheben' (to keep the receipt), 'alte Briefe aufheben' (to keep old letters), 'eine Erinnerung aufheben' (to keep a memory/memento).
EXAMPLE
Heb den Kassenbon gut auf, falls du das Gerät umtauschen musst.
Keep the receipt safe in case you need to exchange the device.
Context clue
This meaning is almost always used in an official, legal, or administrative context. The object is typically something abstract, such as a law, a judgment, a ban, or a contract.
EXAMPLE
Wegen des Sturms wurden alle Flüge für heute aufgehoben.
Because of the storm, all flights for today were canceled.
Reflexive use
The reflexive form 'sich aufheben' means that two opposing things balance each other out. The subject is always plural or refers to a set of things.
EXAMPLE
Die beiden Kräfte sind gleich stark und heben sich daher gegenseitig auf.
The two forces are equally strong and therefore cancel each other out.
Fixed expression
The expression 'sich gut/sicher/wohl aufgehoben fühlen' (to feel well/safely/comfortably looked after) is a fixed unit. It describes the feeling of being well cared for and safe in a place or with people.
EXAMPLE
In diesem Team fühle ich mich von Anfang an gut aufgehoben.
I have felt well looked after in this team from the very beginning.
Compare with
aufnehmenbehaltenbeendenauflösenabschaffenaufbewahrenausgleichenkassierenkippenkompensierenzurücklegenwiderrufenzurücknehmenaushebeln
aufheben vs aufnehmen
to record / take in
When taking an object from the floor, aufheben is the usual concrete choice. Aufnehmen can also be used in this sense, but it usually sounds more formal or requires a special context. In everyday situations, aufheben is therefore usually more suitable.
aufheben
Der Helfer hob den heruntergefallenen Brief vom Boden auf.
The helper picked up the fallen letter from the floor.
aufnehmen
Der Helfer nahm die heruntergefallenen Briefe sorgfältig vom Boden auf.
The helper carefully picked up the fallen letters from the floor.
In real life
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