to grab / to understand
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to grab
To take something greedily and quickly for oneself, often in a dishonest way. It usually refers to money or valuables.
Er versuchte, so viel Geld wie möglich an sich zu raffen, bevor die Firma bankrottging.
He tried to grab as much money as possible before the company went bankrupt.
to pull oneself together
To overcome one's reluctance or find the necessary energy to do something that one does not really feel like doing or does not have the strength for.
Ich konnte mich heute Morgen einfach nicht zum Joggen aufraffen.
I just couldn't pull myself together to go jogging this morning.
to understand
Colloquial for to understand or grasp something, often after some thought.
Ich habe die Anleitung dreimal gelesen, aber ich raffe es immer noch nicht.
I've read the instructions three times, but I still don't understand it.
to gather up
To gather fabric or clothing into folds or lift it up.
Sie raffte ihr langes Kleid, um die Treppe hinaufzusteigen.
She gathered up her long dress to climb the stairs.
to carry off
Elevated or literary language for the death of a person or animal, often through a disease or disaster. Usually in the expression 'dahinraffen' (to carry off).
Die Seuche raffte innerhalb weniger Monate Tausende von Menschen dahin.
The epidemic carried off thousands of people within a few months.
In this meaning, the phrase 'etwas an sich raffen' (to grab something for oneself) is often used. The addition 'an sich' emphasizes the selfish and greedy nature of the action.
Der Diktator raffte alle Schätze des Landes an sich.
The dictator grabbed all the country's treasures for himself.
The phrase 'sich aufraffen' (to pull oneself together) is reflexive and is often connected with a 'zu' + infinitive construction. It describes finding motivation for an unpleasant task.
Ich muss mich endlich aufraffen, die Steuererklärung zu machen.
I finally have to pull myself together and do my tax return.
You can picture 'sich aufraffen' (to pull oneself together) figuratively: 'raffen' means 'to gather together' or 'to grab.' You more or less grab yourself and pull yourself 'up' in order to become active.
Komm, raff dich auf, wir gehen eine Runde spazieren!
Come on, pull yourself together, we're going for a walk!
In the meaning 'to understand' or 'to grasp,' 'raffen' (to understand) is very colloquial. You should use it only in informal conversations with friends.
Erklär es mir nochmal langsam. Ich raff es einfach nicht.
Explain it to me again slowly. I just don't understand it.
The most literal meaning of 'raffen' (to gather up) refers to fabric. When dresses, skirts, or curtains are being discussed, it means to lift the fabric up or arrange it in folds.
Die Braut raffte ihr Kleid, um nicht darüber zu stolpern.
The bride gathered up her dress so she wouldn't trip over it.
The expression 'dahinraffen' (to carry off) is a separable verb and belongs to an elevated, literary style of language. It is used to express death through a disease or disaster.
Die Pest raffte einen großen Teil der Bevölkerung dahin.
The plague carried off a large part of the population.
to steal
„Stehlen“ specifically refers to secretly and unlawfully taking someone else’s property. „Raffen“, by contrast, emphasizes taking money or valuables greedily and quickly, often in large quantities and dishonestly. „Stehlen“ is appropriate for the specific theft; „raffen“ emphasizes the greed.
Der korrupte Angestellte raffte in kurzer Zeit große Mengen Geld an sich.
The corrupt employee greedily amassed large amounts of money in a short time.
Der Angestellte stahl heimlich mehrere Geldscheine aus der Kasse.
The employee secretly stole several banknotes from the cash register.
