01
aufteilen
to divide up
To break something whole into several parts or portions and often also distribute it.
example
Wir können den Gewinn gerecht unter uns aufteilen.
We can divide up the profit fairly among ourselves.
aufteilen
to divide up
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable verb
'Aufteilen' (to divide up) is a separable verb. The prefix 'auf-' comes at the end of the sentence in a main clause, while it remains attached to the verb in a subordinate clause.
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder teilen die Süßigkeiten gerecht auf.
The children divide up the candy fairly.
Word structure
The verb is made up of the prefix 'auf-' and the verb 'teilen' (to divide/share). Here the prefix reinforces the idea of dividing, often in the sense of a complete or organized distribution.
EXAMPLE
Der Lehrer teilte die Klasse in vier Gruppen auf.
The teacher divided the class into four groups.
Important prepositions
When dividing things up, two patterns are common: you divide something 'in' (into) parts, e.g. 'den Kuchen in Stücke aufteilen' (to divide the cake into pieces), or you divide something 'unter' (among) people, e.g. 'das Geld unter den Gewinnern aufteilen' (to divide the money among the winners).
EXAMPLE
Sie teilte den Teig in drei gleiche Teile auf.
She divided the dough into three equal parts.
Reflexive use
When a group separates into smaller teams, the verb is used reflexively: 'sich aufteilen' (to split up). The subject is always a group of people.
EXAMPLE
Um den Vermissten schneller zu finden, teilte sich das Suchteam auf.
In order to find the missing person faster, the search team split up.
Organizing time
When it is about organizing one's time, the reflexive dative construction is often used: 'sich (dative) die Zeit (accusative) aufteilen' (to organize/divide up one's time).
EXAMPLE
Ich muss mir meine Aufgaben für heute Vormittag gut aufteilen.
I need to organize my tasks well for this morning.
Compare with
aufteilen vs teilen
to share / divide
'teilen' and 'aufteilen' can both mean that several parts are made from a whole. 'teilen' is more general: you can divide a cake, or a group can split. 'aufteilen' emphasizes more strongly that the parts are distributed or organized, for example tasks, money, time, or a group. That is why 'aufteilen' often sounds more precise when it is clear who gets which part or who goes where. The words can be confused because both have to do with dividing. As a simple guide: 'teilen' describes separating, while 'aufteilen' often describes planned distribution.
aufteilen
Wir teilen die Aufgaben für das Projekt auf, damit jeder weiß, was er machen muss.
We are dividing up the tasks for the project so that everyone knows what they have to do.
teilen
Zu Hause teilen die Kinder die Schokolade in kleine Stücke.
At home, the children divide the chocolate into small pieces.
In real life
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