aufsteigen
to rise
To move physically upward; to gain height.
EXAMPLE
Heisse Luft steigt nach oben auf.
Hot air rises upward.
aufsteigen
to rise / mount
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Meanings
aufsteigen
to mount
To climb onto a vehicle, such as a bicycle or motorcycle, or onto a mount, such as a horse.
EXAMPLE
Der Reiter stieg elegant auf sein Pferd auf.
The rider mounted his horse elegantly.
aufsteigen
to rise
To reach a higher position in a hierarchy, at work, or in society.
EXAMPLE
Sie hofft, bald zur Teamleiterin aufzusteigen.
She hopes to rise to team leader soon.
aufsteigen
to be promoted
In sports, to achieve promotion to a higher division or league.
EXAMPLE
Nach einer grandiosen Saison ist der Verein in die erste Liga aufgestiegen.
After a fantastic season, the club was promoted to the first division.
aufsteigen
to rise up
For feelings, thoughts, or physical sensations: to suddenly become noticeable or enter consciousness.
EXAMPLE
Beim Geruch des Kuchens stiegen sofort Kindheitserinnerungen in ihr auf.
At the smell of the cake, childhood memories immediately rose up in her.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Aufsteigen' (to rise / mount) is a separable verb. The prefix 'auf-' separates from the verb in a main clause and stands at the end of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Der Heißluftballon steigt langsam auf.
The hot-air balloon rises slowly.
Perfect tense with 'sein'
Since 'aufsteigen' (to rise / mount) describes movement or a change of state, the perfect tense is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be).
EXAMPLE
Der Nebel ist am Morgen aufgestiegen.
The fog rose in the morning.
Correct preposition
When climbing onto a vehicle or mount, you use the preposition 'auf' with the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Vorsichtig stieg sie auf das unruhige Pferd auf.
Carefully, she mounted the restless horse.
Correct preposition
To express a promotion at work, the preposition 'zu' with the dative is used to name the new position.
EXAMPLE
Nach nur zwei Jahren ist er zum Abteilungsleiter aufgestiegen.
After only two years, he rose to department head.
Correct preposition
In a sports context, the preposition 'in' with the accusative is used to indicate the higher league that is reached.
EXAMPLE
Der Verein ist letztes Jahr in die zweite Liga aufgestiegen.
The club was promoted to the second division last year.
Use with feelings
When feelings, thoughts, or sensations 'aufsteigen' (rise up), the subject is the feeling itself. The person who feels it is often named with the preposition 'in' and dative.
EXAMPLE
Bei seinen Worten stieg Wut in mir auf.
At his words, anger rose up in me.
Compare with
aufsteigen vs steigen
to rise / climb
With smoke, both “steigen” and “aufsteigen” can express upward movement. “Steigen” neutrally describes gaining height, while “aufsteigen” places more emphasis on the beginning of the movement from a lower starting point. The difference is a nuance, not a fixed distinction.
aufsteigen
Der Rauch steigt langsam aus dem Schornstein auf.
The smoke is slowly rising from the chimney.
steigen
Der Rauch steigt langsam über die Dächer.
The smoke is slowly rising above the rooftops.
In real life
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