01
aufsteigend
ascending
Moving upward or rising into the air.
example
Aufsteigender Rauch aus dem Schornstein signalisierte, dass jemand zu Hause war.
Ascending smoke from the chimney signaled that someone was home.
aufsteigend
ascending
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Participle as adjective
'Aufsteigend' is the present participle of the verb 'aufsteigen' (to ascend/rise). It is used like a normal adjective and is declined before a noun. The basic meaning is always 'moving upward.'
EXAMPLE
Die aufsteigende Feuchtigkeit schadet den Wänden des alten Hauses.
The rising damp is damaging the walls of the old house.
Typical collocations
In its literal meaning, 'aufsteigend' (ascending/rising) often describes physical phenomena. Typical nouns are 'aufsteigender Rauch' (rising smoke), 'aufsteigende Wärme' (rising heat), or 'aufsteigender Nebel' (rising fog).
EXAMPLE
Vorsicht, der aufsteigende Dampf aus dem Topf ist sehr heiß.
Careful, the rising steam from the pot is very hot.
Use as an instruction
In the context of lists and data, 'aufsteigend' (ascending) is often used as an adverb with verbs like 'sortieren' (to sort) or 'ordnen' (to arrange). It then serves as an instruction for how something should be ordered.
EXAMPLE
Könnten Sie die Rechnungen bitte nach dem Datum aufsteigend sortieren?
Could you please sort the invoices by date in ascending order?
Fixed expression
The expression 'in aufsteigender Linie' (in ascending line) is a fixed expression from genealogy. It describes direct descent from ancestors such as parents, grandparents, and so on.
EXAMPLE
Sie konnte nachweisen, dass sie in aufsteigender Linie von einem Adelsgeschlecht abstammt.
She was able to prove that she descends in an ascending line from a noble family.
Compare with
aufsteigend vs zunehmend
increasingly / waxing
'zunehmend' and 'aufsteigend' can both make you think of upward movement. However, 'zunehmend' usually describes quantity, intensity, or frequency becoming greater. So it is about a development. 'aufsteigend' more often describes an upward direction or an order from low to high, for example with numbers, prices, or names. The words can be confused when talking about values. If something is becoming more and more, 'zunehmend' fits. If something is ordered by height, size, or sequence, 'aufsteigend' fits.
aufsteigend
Marie sortiert die Zahlen für die Prüfung in aufsteigender Reihenfolge.
Marie sorts the numbers for the exam in ascending order.
zunehmend
Die Verkäuferin merkt, dass die Kunden zunehmend ungeduldig werden.
The saleswoman notices that the customers are becoming increasingly impatient.
In real life
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