aufwärmen
to reheat
To make cold food or drinks warm or hot again.
EXAMPLE
Ich wärme mir die Reste von gestern Abend in der Mikrowelle auf.
I'm reheating the leftovers from last night in the microwave.
aufwärmen
to warm up / reheat
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
sich aufwärmen
to warm up
To prepare the body for physical exertion through light exercises in order to loosen the muscles and prevent injuries.
EXAMPLE
Vor dem Joggen sollte man sich immer gut aufwärmen.
Before jogging, you should always warm up properly.
aufwärmen
to bring up again
To bring up an old topic or an old argument again after it had already been settled.
EXAMPLE
Müssen wir diese alte Geschichte wirklich schon wieder aufwärmen?
Do we really have to bring up that old story again?
sich aufwärmen
to warm up
To get warm again after being cold, for example with a warm blanket or a hot drink.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Spaziergang im Schnee wärmte sie sich am Kamin auf.
After the walk in the snow, she warmed up by the fireplace.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Aufwärmen' (to warm up/reheat) is a separable verb. The prefix 'auf' goes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Ich wärme die Suppe von gestern auf.
I'm reheating yesterday's soup.
Reflexive or not?
The use of the reflexive pronoun 'sich' is an important clue. 'Sich aufwärmen' (to warm oneself up) always refers to one's own body (before sports or when cold). 'Etwas aufwärmen' (to warm something up/reheat something) refers to food or an abstract topic.
EXAMPLE
Wärmst du dich vor dem Laufen auf?
Do you warm up before running?
Context: sports vs. cold
When 'sich aufwärmen' (to warm oneself up) is used, the context helps distinguish the meaning. If it is about sports and movement, it means preparing for exertion. If it is about cold and freezing, it means regaining body warmth.
EXAMPLE
Die Spieler wärmen sich vor dem Spiel auf dem Platz auf.
The players warm up on the field before the game.
Figurative meaning
In the figurative meaning, 'aufwärmen' (to bring up again) is always used with abstract nouns. Typical objects are 'ein Thema' (a topic), 'eine Geschichte' (a story), or 'ein alter Streit' (an old argument).
EXAMPLE
Er versucht immer wieder, die längst entschiedene Diskussion aufzuwärmen.
He keeps trying to bring up the long-settled discussion again.
Compare with
aufwärmen vs aufgreifen
to take up / pick up
Both verbs can mean bringing an earlier topic back into a conversation. Aufgreifen usually sounds factual and shows that the topic is being pursued further or responded to; aufwärmen refers more to bringing up an old or settled topic again, often with a negative connotation. Use aufgreifen for a meaningful continuation and aufwärmen for an unwanted repetition.
aufwärmen
Die Moderatorin wärmte nach der Pause den alten Streit wieder auf, obwohl er längst beendet war.
After the break, the moderator dredged up the old argument again, even though it had long been settled.
aufgreifen
Die Moderatorin griff das Thema nach der Pause auf und suchte gemeinsam mit den Gästen eine Lösung.
After the break, the moderator took up the topic and worked with the guests to find a solution.
In real life
Loading video examples...