A small picture or a piece of printed paper or plastic with an adhesive back that can be stuck onto a surface.
example
Mein Laptop ist mit Aufklebern von verschiedenen Orten, die ich besucht habe, bedeckt.
My laptop is covered with stickers from different places I've visited.
Usage tips
Word structure
'Der Aufkleber' derives directly from the separable verb 'aufkleben' (to stick on). So it is literally 'something that you stick on.'
EXAMPLE
Pass auf, wohin du den Aufkleber klebst, man bekommt ihn nur schwer wieder ab.
Be careful where you stick the sticker; it's hard to get it off again.
Typical verbs
The most common verbs used with 'Aufkleber' are 'aufkleben' (to stick on), 'anbringen' (to attach), and 'entfernen' (to remove).
EXAMPLE
Er hat einen neuen Aufkleber auf seinem Auto angebracht.
He attached a new sticker to his car.
Use with a preposition
When you say where you stick a sticker, you use the preposition 'auf' followed by the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Sie klebte einen bunten Aufkleber auf ihren Notizblock.
She stuck a colorful sticker on her notebook.
Compare with
confusable
Aufkleber vs Anhänger
supporter / trailer / pendant
'der Anhänger' and 'der Aufkleber' can both be small objects with information or pictures on them. However, they are attached differently. An 'Anhänger' hangs on an object, for example on a suitcase or a gift. An 'Aufkleber' has an adhesive back and is stuck directly onto a surface. The words can be confused because both are often small and show something, but the way they are attached is the important difference.
Aufkleber
Du klebst den Aufkleber auf dein Heft, damit man deinen Namen sofort sieht.
You stick the sticker on your notebook so people can see your name right away.
Anhänger
Am Koffer hängt ein Anhänger mit meiner Adresse.
There is a tag with my address hanging on the suitcase.