01
aufladen
to charge
To supply a battery or an electronic device with new electrical energy.
example
Ich muss mein Handy aufladen, der Akku ist fast leer.
I have to charge my phone; the battery is almost dead.
aufladen
to charge / load
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable verb
'Aufladen' (to charge/load) is a separable verb whose prefix 'auf-' goes at the end in a main clause. The base verb is 'laden' (to load/charge). The prefix 'auf-' can literally mean 'on top' (furniture) or metaphorically 'into' (energy).
EXAMPLE
Ich lade schnell mein Handy auf.
I'll quickly charge my phone.
Typical collocations
In a technical context, 'aufladen' (to charge) is almost always used with electronic devices or their energy storage units. Typical phrases are: 'das Handy aufladen' (to charge the phone), 'den Akku aufladen' (to charge the battery), or 'eine Prepaid-Karte aufladen' (to top up a prepaid card).
EXAMPLE
Kannst du bitte deinen Laptop aufladen?
Can you please charge your laptop?
Context: transport
In this meaning, it is about loading vehicles. The verb is often supplemented by a location phrase with 'auf' + accusative, e.g. 'etwas auf einen LKW aufladen' (to load something onto a truck).
EXAMPLE
Die Arbeiter laden die Kisten auf das Schiff.
The workers are loading the boxes onto the ship.
Dative construction
When taking on responsibility, a fixed structure is used: 'sich (dative) etwas (accusative) aufladen' (to take something on oneself). The dative pronoun shows who is taking on the burden.
EXAMPLE
Lade dir nicht zu viele zusätzliche Aufgaben auf!
Don't take on too many additional tasks!
Abstract meaning
This figurative meaning is often combined with adverbs like 'emotional' (emotionally), 'symbolisch' (symbolically), or 'negativ' (negatively). The subject is usually a situation, a place, or a topic.
EXAMPLE
Die politische Debatte ist stark emotional aufgeladen.
The political debate is highly emotionally charged.
Compare with
aufladen vs übernehmen
to take over / take on
'übernehmen' and 'sich etwas aufladen' can both mean that someone accepts a task or responsibility. 'übernehmen' is neutral and often positive: someone agrees and does the task. 'Sich etwas aufladen' sounds more strongly like a burden. It fits when the task is difficult or actually becomes too much. If you only want to say who is responsible, 'übernehmen' is more natural. If you want to emphasize that someone is taking on a heavy burden, 'sich etwas aufladen' fits better.
aufladen
Zu Hause hat sich Tom für das Projekt viel zu viele Aufgaben aufgeladen.
At home, Tom has taken on far too many tasks for the project.
übernehmen
Im Zug übernimmt die Kundin kurz die Organisation der Tickets für die Gruppe.
On the train, the client briefly takes over organizing the tickets for the group.
In real life
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