to put on airs / to install / to play
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to put on airs
To act overly important, show off, or behave as if you had more authority than others. It has a negative connotation.
Seit seiner Beförderung spielt er sich ständig als der große Chef auf.
Since his promotion, he has constantly been putting on airs as the big boss.
to install
To install software, an update, or data on a computer or another electronic device.
Kannst du mir helfen, das neue Sicherheitsupdate auf meinen Laptop aufzuspielen?
Can you help me install the new security update on my laptop?
to play
To start making music, especially at an event or for an audience. Often used in the context of dance music or entertainment music.
Pünktlich um acht Uhr begann die Band zum Tanz aufzuspielen.
Right at eight o'clock, the band began to play for the dance.
'Aufspielen' is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'auf' goes at the end. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Er spielt sich immer im Büro auf.
He always puts on airs in the office.
The three meanings can be distinguished easily: The first meaning is always reflexive ('sich aufspielen'). The second has a technical object ('Software', 'Update'). The third has to do with music ('die Band', 'zum Tanz').
Er spielt sich als Experte auf.
He puts on airs as an expert.
In the meaning of 'angeben' (to show off) or 'sich wichtig machen' (to act important), the verb is always reflexive. You must use the appropriate reflexive pronoun (mich, dich, sich, uns, euch, sich).
Spiel dich nicht so auf, du bist nicht der Chef!
Don't put on airs like that; you're not the boss!
'Sich aufspielen' (to put on airs) is very often combined with the preposition 'als' (as) and a noun. This expresses which role a person is unjustifiably claiming for themselves.
Er ist erst seit einer Woche hier und spielt sich schon als der große Kenner auf.
He has only been here for a week and is already putting on airs as the great expert.
This meaning is typical in the field of computer technology. You install software, updates, data, or new operating systems onto a device.
Der Techniker hat die neueste Software auf alle Firmencomputer aufgespielt.
The technician installed the latest software on all company computers.
In this meaning, the subject is usually a band, an orchestra, or a musician. A very typical phrase is 'zum Tanz aufspielen' (to play for dancing), which means that the music for the dancing guests begins.
Auf dem Stadtfest spielte eine lokale Band auf.
A local band played at the town festival.
to state / boast / report
Angeben means boasting about possessions, abilities, or achievements in order to impress others. Sich aufspielen describes more generally behaving as if one were especially important or superior, often as if one had more authority. The key difference is therefore whether the focus is on boasting or on assumed importance.
Im Meeting spielt Ben sich wegen seiner langen Berufserfahrung als Chef auf.
In the meeting, Ben puts on airs as if he were the boss because of his many years of professional experience.
Im Meeting gibt Ben mit seiner langen Berufserfahrung an.
In the meeting, Ben boasts about his many years of professional experience.
