01
aufsetzen
to put on
To place something on the head or nose, for example glasses, a hat, or a helmet.
example
Er musste seine Lesebrille aufsetzen, um die Speisekarte zu entziffern.
He had to put on his reading glasses to decipher the menu.
aufsetzen
to put on / to draft / to land
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable verb
'Aufsetzen' is a separable verb. The prefix 'auf-' separates from the verb in a main clause and goes at the end.
EXAMPLE
Er setzt schnell seinen Hut auf und geht.
He quickly puts on his hat and leaves.
Context clue
The many meanings of 'aufsetzen' become clear from context. Pay attention to the object (glasses, contract, water), the subject (airplane), or whether the verb is used reflexively ('sich aufsetzen').
EXAMPLE
Setz bitte deine Mütze auf, es ist kalt.
Please put on your hat; it's cold.
Typical collocations
This meaning is almost always combined with things worn on the head or nose. Typical phrases are: 'eine Brille aufsetzen' (to put on glasses), 'einen Hut aufsetzen' (to put on a hat), 'eine Krone aufsetzen' (to put on a crown), or 'Kopfhörer aufsetzen' (to put on headphones).
EXAMPLE
Zum Schutz vor der Sonne setzte sie einen großen Hut auf.
To protect herself from the sun, she put on a large hat.
Reflexive use
When a person moves from lying down to sitting, the reflexive form 'sich aufsetzen' is used. The subject is always the person performing the movement.
EXAMPLE
Der Kranke konnte sich ohne Hilfe im Bett aufsetzen.
The sick man was able to sit up in bed without help.
Typical collocations
In the sense of 'verfassen' (to compose/write), 'aufsetzen' is used with official or formal texts. Common combinations are: 'einen Vertrag aufsetzen' (to draft a contract), 'ein Testament aufsetzen' (to draft a will), or 'ein offizielles Schreiben aufsetzen' (to draft an official letter).
EXAMPLE
Die Notarin hat gestern das Testament aufgesetzt.
The notary drafted the will yesterday.
Use without an object
In the meaning 'landen' (to land), 'aufsetzen' is often used without an object. The subject is typically an airplane, a bird, or an insect.
EXAMPLE
Der Pilot bereitete sich darauf vor, auf der kurzen Landebahn aufzusetzen.
The pilot prepared to touch down on the short runway.
Context: kitchen
This meaning is typical in a cooking context. It is used for containers or liquids that you place on the stove to heat. Typical phrases are: 'Wasser aufsetzen' (to put water on), 'einen Topf aufsetzen' (to put a pot on), or 'den Teekessel aufsetzen' (to put the kettle on).
EXAMPLE
Kannst du bitte schon mal das Nudelwasser aufsetzen?
Could you please put the pasta water on already?
Compare with
aufsetzen vs schreiben
to write
'schreiben' and 'aufsetzen' can both mean that you compose a text. 'schreiben' is the normal, general word for almost all texts. 'aufsetzen' is used more for official or important texts, for example a contract, a letter, or a will. It sounds somewhat more formal and emphasizes that the text is being formulated carefully. The words can be confused because you can both write and draft a document. In everyday language, people usually say 'schreiben'; for official documents, 'aufsetzen' is often more precise.
aufsetzen
Die Anwältin setzt einen neuen Vertrag für die Firma auf.
The lawyer drafts a new contract for the company.
schreiben
Nach dem Gespräch schreibt Mehmet eine kurze E-Mail an den Kunden.
After the conversation, Mehmet writes a short email to the customer.
In real life
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