auf (German)
Where does "auf" come from?
The German word 'auf' traces its roots back to the Proto-Germanic term *upp, which signifies upward movement or position. It evolved through Old and Middle High German, eventually picking up a lengthened vowel characteristic of Upper German dialects. Today, it remains a close linguistic relative to the English word 'up,' sharing both its ancient origins and its core sense of orientation.
Full etymology tree
- auf (German), 'open'
- inherited ūf (Middle High German), 'on, upon'
- inherited ūf (Old High German), 'up'
- inherited *upp (Proto-Germanic), 'up, upwards'
- derived *ub (Proto-Germanic), 'under (going beneath)'
- inherited *upó (Proto-Indo-European), 'up, from below'
- affix nasal affix (Proto-Germanic)
- influence *uppai (Proto-Germanic), 'up, above, on high'
- derived *ub (Proto-Germanic), 'under (going beneath)'
- inherited *upó (Proto-Indo-European), 'up, from below'
- suffix *-nai (Proto-Germanic)
- derived *ub (Proto-Germanic), 'under (going beneath)'
- derived *ub (Proto-Germanic), 'under (going beneath)'
- inherited *upp (Proto-Germanic), 'up, upwards'
- inherited ūf (Old High German), 'up'
- inherited ūf (Middle High German), 'on, upon'
Ancestors
- uf (Middle High German)
- uf (Old High German)
- *upp (Proto-Germanic)
Cognates and doublets
- op (Dutch)
- up (English)
- op (Luxembourgish)
- uf (Middle High German)
Updated July 2026
Etymology data from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · About Miraris