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
sich aufteilen
to split up
For a group to separate into smaller subgroups in order to complete different tasks or search different places.
EXAMPLE
Lasst uns aufteilen: Ein Team sucht oben, das andere unten.
Let's split up: one team searches upstairs, the other downstairs.
aufteilen
to organize
To structure and organize something in terms of time or space.
EXAMPLE
Ich muss mir meine Zeit heute gut aufteilen, um alles zu schaffen.
I need to organize my time well today in order to get everything done.
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 is the general expression for dividing a whole into several parts. Aufteilen usually places more emphasis on deliberately creating separate parts and often also on distributing specific portions or shares. Aufteilen is therefore often appropriate when there is a planned result.
aufteilen
Sara teilt den Kuchen so auf, dass jedes Kind zwei Stücke bekommt.
Sara divides up the cake so that each child gets two pieces.
teilen
Sara teilt den Kuchen in mehrere Stücke.
Sara divides the cake into several pieces.
In real life
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