aufkommen
to arise
To arise, develop, or rise up. Often used for feelings, thoughts, moods, or trends.
EXAMPLE
Langsam kam Panik in der Menge auf.
Panic slowly arose in the crowd.
aufkommen
to arise / to cover
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Meanings
aufkommen
to pick up
To approach or begin, often in reference to weather phenomena such as wind, fog, or a storm.
EXAMPLE
Am Nachmittag wird starker Wind aufkommen.
Strong winds will pick up in the afternoon.
aufkommen für
to cover
To cover the costs of something or be financially responsible for damage.
EXAMPLE
Die Versicherung wird für den Schaden aufkommen.
The insurance company will cover the damage.
aufkommen
to recover
To become healthy again after an illness and regain strength.
EXAMPLE
Nach der schweren Grippe ist sie nur langsam wieder aufgekommen.
After the severe flu, she recovered only slowly.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Aufkommen' (to arise/to cover) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'auf' goes at the end. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Ein starker Wind kam am Abend auf.
A strong wind picked up in the evening.
Meaning of the prefix
The prefix 'auf-' in combination with 'kommen' (to come) often conveys the idea of a beginning or upward movement. Something begins to exist or appears, like rising smoke.
EXAMPLE
Plötzlich kam eine seltsame Stimmung auf.
Suddenly, a strange mood arose.
Typical subjects
In the meaning 'entstehen' (to arise), the subjects are usually abstract nouns. Typical combinations are: 'Zweifel kommen auf' (doubts arise), 'ein Verdacht kommt auf' (a suspicion arises), 'Freude kommt auf' (joy arises), or 'eine Frage kommt auf' (a question arises).
EXAMPLE
Bei seiner Erzählung kamen mir erste Zweifel auf.
As he told his story, my first doubts arose.
Weather context
When 'aufkommen' is used in connection with the weather, it describes the approach or beginning of a weather phenomenon. Typical subjects are 'Wind' (wind), 'Sturm' (storm), 'Nebel' (fog), or 'Gewitter' (thunderstorm).
EXAMPLE
Laut Wetterbericht soll morgen ein Sturm aufkommen.
According to the weather forecast, a storm is supposed to pick up tomorrow.
Fixed preposition
In the meaning 'bezahlen' (to pay), 'aufkommen' is always used with the preposition 'für' and the accusative. The structure is: 'jemand kommt für etwas auf' (someone covers something).
EXAMPLE
Wer kommt für den entstandenen Schaden auf?
Who will cover the damage that occurred?
Compare with
aufkommen vs tragen
to wear / carry
Tragen and aufkommen can both mean that someone covers costs. The main difference is the sentence structure: with tragen, the costs are a direct object, whereas with aufkommen, you use für before the costs.
aufkommen
Die Stadt kommt für die Kosten der Reparatur auf.
The city covers the cost of the repairs.
tragen
Die Stadt trägt die Kosten für die Reparatur.
The city bears the cost of the repairs.
In real life
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