to perk up / revive
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to perk up
To become livelier, more energetic, or more cheerful again after a period of tiredness, sadness, or inactivity.
Nach einer Tasse Kaffee ist sie am Nachmittag richtig aufgelebt.
After a cup of coffee, she really perked up in the afternoon.
to revive
To become current, noticeable, or present again. Often refers to memories, traditions, or feelings.
Bei dem Klassentreffen lebten die alten Zeiten und viele Erinnerungen wieder auf.
At the class reunion, the old days and many memories revived again.
'Aufleben' (to perk up/revive) is a separable verb. The prefix 'auf' goes at the end in a main clause, the verb stays together in a subordinate clause, and in the infinitive with 'zu', 'zu' goes in the middle.
Im Urlaub lebt sie immer richtig auf.
On vacation, she always really perks up.
The perfect tense of 'aufleben' (to perk up/revive) is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be), because it describes a change of state: from tired to alert, from forgotten to present.
Nach dem Mittagsschlaf ist der Kleine wieder richtig aufgelebt.
After his afternoon nap, the little one really perked up again.
In this meaning, 'aufleben' (to perk up) almost always refers to people, or sometimes animals, that show energy or joy in life again. Typical triggers are coffee, music, good weather, or pleasant company.
In der Sonne schien selbst die alte Katze wieder aufzuleben.
In the sun, even the old cat seemed to perk up again.
This meaning is used for abstract things that become current again. The subject here is never a person, but for example 'Erinnerungen' (memories), 'Traditionen' (traditions), 'eine Mode' (a fashion), or 'alte Zeiten' (old times).
In den letzten Jahren ist die Mode der 90er wieder aufgelebt.
In recent years, 90s fashion has revived.
to awaken
When talking about feelings or memories, erwachen and aufleben can both be appropriate. Erwachen emphasizes their emerging from a dormant state. Aufleben more clearly emphasizes that something was already present before and is now becoming lively, perceptible, or present again.
Beim Hören des alten Liedes lebte in ihr die Erinnerung an den Sommer wieder auf.
Hearing the old song revived her memory of that summer.
Beim Hören des alten Liedes erwachte in ihr die Erinnerung an den Sommer.
Hearing the old song awakened her memory of that summer.
