aufspringen
to jump up
To rise quickly and energetically from a sitting or lying position.
EXAMPLE
Als sie ihren Namen hörte, sprang sie erschrocken auf.
When she heard her name, she jumped up in fright.
aufspringen
to jump up / spring open
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Meanings
aufspringen
to spring open
To open suddenly and often with a sound, usually due to internal pressure or mechanical tension.
EXAMPLE
Der Deckel der alten Truhe sprang mit einem Quietschen auf.
The lid of the old chest sprang open with a squeak.
aufspringen
to crack
To become cracked or chapped, especially skin or lips due to cold or dryness.
EXAMPLE
Im Winter springen meine Lippen immer auf, wenn ich sie nicht eincreme.
In winter, my lips always crack if I don't put cream on them.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Aufspringen' (to jump up/to spring open) is a separable verb with the prefix 'auf-'. In a main clause, the prefix goes at the end, while in subordinate clauses it remains attached to the verb.
EXAMPLE
Als das Telefon klingelte, sprang er sofort auf.
When the phone rang, he jumped up immediately.
Perfect tense with 'sein'
Since 'aufspringen' (to jump up/to spring open/to crack) describes movement or a change of state, the perfect tense is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be), not with 'haben' (to have).
EXAMPLE
Der Hund ist aufgesprungen, als er die Leine sah.
The dog jumped up when it saw the leash.
Context clue: subject
The subject of the sentence reveals the meaning. If the subject is a person, it means 'to get up/jump up.' If it is an object (door, lid), it means 'to open/spring open.' If it is skin or lips, it means 'to become cracked.'
EXAMPLE
Der Schüler sprang auf und beantwortete die Frage.
The student jumped up and answered the question.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'rissig werden' (to become cracked/chapped), 'aufspringen' is used almost exclusively for skin and lips. The cause is often mentioned too, for example 'wegen der Kälte' (because of the cold) or 'durch die Trockenheit' (due to the dryness).
EXAMPLE
Wenn man im Winter nicht genug trinkt, können die Lippen aufspringen.
If you don't drink enough in winter, your lips can crack.
Compare with
aufspringen vs aufstehen
to get up / be open
Both verbs describe someone moving from a sitting or lying position into a standing position. Aufstehen describes this change of position neutrally, while aufspringen emphasizes a sudden, energetic movement. Aufstehen is appropriate for a calm movement, while aufspringen is more suitable for a quick reaction.
aufspringen
Als der Bus ankam, sprang sie sofort von ihrem Sitz auf.
When the bus arrived, she immediately jumped up from her seat.
aufstehen
Als der Bus ankam, stand sie ruhig von ihrem Sitz auf.
When the bus arrived, she calmly stood up from her seat.
In real life
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