to straighten up / to set upright
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to straighten up
To bring one's own body from a bent, sitting, or lying position into a straight, upright position.
Als der Lehrer den Raum betrat, richtete sich der Schüler schnell auf.
When the teacher entered the room, the student quickly straightened up.
to set upright
To bring something that is lying down or has fallen over back into a vertical position.
Nach dem Sturm halfen die Nachbarn, den umgefallenen Zaun wieder aufzurichten.
After the storm, the neighbors helped set the fallen fence upright again.
to lift someone's spirits
To give comfort and renewed courage to someone who is sad, discouraged, or dejected.
Ihre freundlichen Worte haben ihn nach der schweren Enttäuschung wieder aufgerichtet.
Her kind words lifted his spirits again after the severe disappointment.
to erect
To erect the roof frame or basic framework of a building.
Die Zimmerleute werden morgen den Dachstuhl für das neue Haus aufrichten.
The carpenters will erect the roof frame for the new house tomorrow.
'Aufrichten' (to straighten up / to set upright) is a separable verb. The prefix 'auf-' comes at the end in a main clause. In the infinitive with 'zu' (to), 'zu' stands between the prefix and the verb.
Er richtete den umgefallenen Stuhl wieder auf.
He set the fallen chair upright again.
The verb consists of the prefix 'auf-' (upward) and 'richten' (to make straight, to align). The basic meaning, 'to bring something into a straight, vertical position,' connects all meanings: the body, an object, the psyche, or a building.
Ein freundliches Gespräch kann einen traurigen Menschen wieder aufrichten.
A friendly conversation can lift a sad person's spirits again.
The object or the grammar reveals the meaning: 'sich aufrichten' (to straighten oneself up; one's own body), 'etwas aufrichten' (to set something upright; object), 'jemanden aufrichten' (to encourage someone), or 'einen Dachstuhl aufrichten' (to erect a roof frame; build).
Er richtete sich im Bett auf.
He sat up in bed.
In the emotional meaning, 'aufrichten' (to lift someone's spirits) is often combined with the cause of the comfort. Typical phrases include 'jemanden mit Worten aufrichten' (to lift someone's spirits with words) or 'jemanden durch Zuspruch aufrichten' (to encourage someone through reassurance).
Ihre aufmunternden Worte haben mich wirklich wieder aufgerichtet.
Her encouraging words really lifted my spirits again.
The meaning 'errichten' (to erect) is used almost only for the construction of a roof frame. When the roof frame is finished, people in Germany traditionally celebrate the 'Richtfest' (topping-out ceremony). This celebration is a thank-you to the craftsmen.
Nächste Woche richten die Zimmerleute den Dachstuhl auf, dann gibt es ein Richtfest.
Next week the carpenters will erect the roof frame, and then there will be a topping-out ceremony.
to set up / nominate
Aufstellen means positioning an object upright in a particular place. Aufrichten, on the other hand, emphasizes that the object was lying down or had fallen over and is meant to stand upright again. Aufstellen is therefore appropriate for a new sign, while aufrichten is especially appropriate after it has fallen over.
Nach dem Sturm richten die Mitarbeiter das umgefallene Schild wieder auf.
After the storm, the staff set the fallen sign upright again.
Die Mitarbeiter stellen am Eingang ein neues Schild auf.
The staff set up a new sign at the entrance.
