to thaw
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to thaw
To slowly warm something frozen, usually food, or leave it at room temperature until it is no longer frozen.
Du musst das Fleisch rechtzeitig aus dem Gefrierschrank nehmen, damit es auftauen kann.
You need to take the meat out of the freezer in time so that it can thaw.
'Auftauen' (to thaw) is a separable verb with the prefix 'auf-'. In a main clause, the prefix comes at the end of the sentence. The base verb 'tauen' means 'to melt/thaw'.
Ich taue das Hähnchen für das Abendessen auf.
I am thawing the chicken for dinner.
The perfect tense is formed with 'haben' (to have) or 'sein' (to be). You use 'haben' when you actively thaw something (transitive). You use 'sein' when something thaws by itself or when a person 'auftaut' (thaws) (intransitive).
Ich habe die Suppe in der Mikrowelle aufgetaut.
I thawed the soup in the microwave.
The figurative meaning is a metaphor. A shy or reserved person is initially like 'gefroren' (frozen). When they become more relaxed and open, 'taut sie auf' (they thaw).
Nachdem wir über Musik gesprochen haben, ist er richtig aufgetaut.
After we talked about music, he really thawed.
In the kitchen, 'auftauen' (to thaw) is typically used with frozen foods. Common objects are 'Fleisch' (meat), 'Gemüse' (vegetables), 'Brot' (bread), or 'eine Tiefkühlpizza' (a frozen pizza).
Lass uns das Brot für das Frühstück heute Abend schon auftauen.
Let's thaw the bread for breakfast already this evening.
to melt
'schmelzen' and 'auftauen' both have to do with heat and a frozen or solid state. 'schmelzen' is used when something solid becomes liquid, for example ice, butter, or chocolate. 'auftauen' is used mainly for something frozen that becomes softer or usable again, often food. It does not have to become completely liquid. Learners may confuse the words because ice also melts when it thaws. As a practical rule: for ice, snow, or metal, 'schmelzen' often fits; for frozen food, 'auftauen' usually fits best.
Für das Abendessen taut Lisa das gefrorene Gemüse auf.
For dinner, Lisa thaws the frozen vegetables.
Die Schokolade schmilzt langsam im warmen Topf.
The chocolate melts slowly in the warm pot.