01
rauf
up
Colloquial short form of 'herauf' or 'hinauf', expressing movement upward.
example
Wir müssen den ganzen Berg zu Fuß rauf.
We have to go up the whole mountain on foot.
rauf
up
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Colloquial short form
'Rauf' (up) is the colloquial and very common short form of 'herauf' or 'hinauf' (upward/up here/up there). In formal or written texts, the full words are usually used.
EXAMPLE
Kommst du kurz rauf? Ich brauche deine Hilfe.
Can you come up for a moment? I need your help.
Separable prefix
'Rauf' (up) is often combined as a separable prefix with verbs of movement (e.g. 'raufgehen' (to go up), 'raufklettern' (to climb up), 'rauffahren' (to drive/ride up)). In a main clause, 'rauf' goes at the end.
EXAMPLE
Wir gehen den Berg jetzt rauf.
We're going up the mountain now.
Fixed expression
The expression 'rauf und runter' (up and down) means 'repeatedly' or 'very thoroughly'. For example, you can 'rauf und runter singen' (sing something over and over) a melody or 'rauf und runter beten' (recite something over and over) a poem.
EXAMPLE
Ich kenne den Text mittlerweile rauf und runter.
By now I know the text up and down.
Compare with
rauf vs hoch
high
'hoch' and 'rauf' both relate to being up or above. 'hoch' is an adjective and describes a height or a high position. 'rauf' is an adverb and describes movement upward. It is also colloquial and sounds more natural in conversation than in formal texts. They can be confused because in everyday speech you often also hear 'hoch' with movements, for example 'die Treppe hoch' (up the stairs). For direction, however, the more precise standard-language word is 'hinauf', or colloquially 'rauf'.
rauf
Komm bitte kurz rauf, ich brauche deine Hilfe im dritten Stock.
Please come up for a moment; I need your help on the third floor.
hoch
Für das Konzert haben wir eine hohe Bühne aufgebaut.
We built a high stage for the concert.
In real life
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