Aufsehen erregen
to cause a stir
To attract great public attention, often also curiosity or outrage.
EXAMPLE
Sein ungewöhnliches Outfit erregte auf der Gala großes Aufsehen.
His unusual outfit caused quite a stir at the gala.
das Aufsehen
attention / stir
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Meanings
das Aufsehen
attention / stir
The state of public attention, interest, or the resulting commotion itself.
EXAMPLE
Um kein Aufsehen zu verursachen, verließen sie die Feier durch den Hinterausgang.
In order not to cause any stir, they left the party through the back exit.
Usage tips
Word structure
'Aufsehen' (attention/stir) is the nominalization of the verb 'aufsehen' (to look up). The figurative meaning is that an event is so interesting or shocking that everyone 'looks up' to notice it.
EXAMPLE
Als der berühmte Schauspieler den Raum betrat, sahen alle auf.
When the famous actor entered the room, everyone looked up.
Uncountable noun
'Aufsehen' (attention/stir) is an uncountable noun and has no plural. In the most common expression, 'Aufsehen erregen' (to cause a stir), it is used without an article.
EXAMPLE
Die Band wollte mit ihrer Aktion vor allem Aufsehen erregen.
With their action, the band primarily wanted to cause a stir.
Fixed expression
By far the most common use is the fixed expression 'Aufsehen erregen' (to cause a stir). It means to get public attention because you do something unusual.
EXAMPLE
Mit ihrer Rede erregte die Politikerin landesweites Aufsehen.
With her speech, the politician caused a nationwide stir.
Typical verbs
When talking about the state of public attention, verbs such as 'vermeiden' (to avoid) or 'verursachen' (to cause) are often used. One either wants to avoid causing any stir or deliberately avoid it.
EXAMPLE
Er schlich leise aus dem Haus, um kein Aufsehen zu verursachen.
He quietly slipped out of the house so as not to cause any stir.
Compare with
Aufsehen vs Aufmerksamkeit
attention
Aufmerksamkeit can refer to neutral or deliberate attention. Aufsehen, by contrast, is a strong public reaction often associated with curiosity, surprise, unrest, or outrage. Aufmerksamkeit fits matter-of-fact interest; Aufsehen is more appropriate for a noticeable reaction.
Aufsehen
Die provokante Umweltaktion erregte in der Presse großes Aufsehen.
The provocative environmental campaign caused quite a stir in the press.
Aufmerksamkeit
Die Presse schenkte der neuen Umweltaktion sachliche Aufmerksamkeit.
The press paid matter-of-fact attention to the new environmental campaign.
In real life
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