der  Aufschlag

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaʊfˌʃlaːk/

📖 What does "der Aufschlag" mean?

Der Aufschlag is a masculine noun with several meanings:

• 🎾 Sports (e.g., tennis, volleyball): The first hit to put the ball into play; the serve. Example: Ihr erster Aufschlag war ein Ass. (Her first serve was an ace.)
• 💰 Price/Cost: An additional amount added to a base price; a surcharge, premium, or price increase. Example: Für die Expresslieferung wird ein Aufschlag von 5 Euro berechnet. (A surcharge of 5 euros is charged for express delivery.)
• 🧥 Clothing: The turned-up edge on sleeves (cuff) or trouser legs (turn-up). Example: Die Jeans hat einen breiten Aufschlag. (The jeans have wide turn-ups.)
• 💥 Physical Impact: The act of an object hitting or striking a surface. Example: Der harte Aufschlag des Balls auf dem Boden. (The hard impact of the ball on the ground.)

🚨 Even though there are multiple meanings, the article is always der.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar: Declension of "der Aufschlag"

The noun "Aufschlag" is masculine and is declined as follows:

Example Sentences

1. Beim Tennis zielt er auf harte Aufschläge. (In tennis, he aims for hard serves.)
2. Der Händler verlangt einen Aufschlag für Sonderwünsche. (The dealer charges a surcharge for special requests.)
3. Die Manschetten sind die Aufschläge am Hemdärmel. (The cuffs are the turn-ups on the shirt sleeve.)
4. Der Aufschlag des Hagelkorns auf dem Autodach war laut. (The impact of the hailstone on the car roof was loud.)

💡 How to use "Aufschlag"?

• Sports context: Very common in ball sports like tennis, table tennis, volleyball, badminton. You talk about the erster Aufschlag (first serve) or zweiter Aufschlag (second serve).
• Price context: Often found in retail, services, or restaurants when extra costs apply (e.g., Nachtzuschlag - night surcharge, Serviceaufschlag - service charge).
• Fashion context: Used to describe the design of trousers (Hosenaufschlag - trouser turn-up) or sleeves (Ärmelaufschlag - sleeve cuff). Can be fashionable or practical.
• Impact context: More related to physics or descriptions of events (e.g., Meteoritenaufschlag - meteorite impact), less common in everyday conversation unless discussing the sound or effect of an impact.

There's little risk of confusion, as the context usually makes the meaning clear.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article mnemonic: Think of the powerful 'hit' or **Schlag** in sports, often by a male player – it demands the masculine article **der Aufschlag**.

Meaning mnemonic: Imagine: The tennis ball **schlägt auf** (hits down) on the court (serve). The price suddenly **schlägt auf** (hits up/is added onto) the bill (surcharge). The trouser fabric is folded **auf** and lies **auf** (up/on) (turn-up/cuff). A stone **schlägt auf** (hits down) on the ground (impact). It's all an 'up-hit' or 'on-hit' – an **Aufschlag**!

🔄 Similar and Opposite Words

⚠️ Caution: Don't confuse with der Anschlag (attack; notice board) or das Aufschlagen (the act of serving/hitting/opening).

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Tennistrainer seinen Schüler: "Na, wie war dein erster Aufschlag im Match?"
Schüler: "Perfekt! Der Ball ist genau da gelandet, wo niemand stand – leider außerhalb des Feldes."

--- Translation ---

The tennis coach asks his student: "So, how was your first serve in the match?"
Student: "Perfect! The ball landed exactly where nobody was standing – unfortunately, outside the court."

📜 Poem about the Word

Der Ball fliegt hoch, ein harter Schlag,
der erste Aufschlag, keine Frag'.
Im Laden dann, oh Schreck, oh Graus,
ein Aufschlag auf den Preis, Applaus?
Die Hose modisch, kurz und knapp,
mit Aufschlag unten, flott im Trab.
Ein Knall, ein Stoß, das Ding schlägt auf,
der Aufschlag hallt im Lebenslauf.

--- Translation ---

The ball flies high, a mighty blow,
the first serve, don't you know.
Then in the shop, oh dear, oh dread,
a surcharge on the price instead?
The trousers stylish, short and trim,
with turn-ups at the bottom rim.
A bang, a hit, the thing impacts,
the impact echoes life's harsh facts.

🧩 Riddle Time

Im Sport beginn' ich oft das Spiel,
als Preis erhöh' ich schnell das Ziel.
Am Hosenbein kann man mich sehen,
beim Aufprall hörst du mich oft wehen.

Was bin ich, stets mit 'der' genannt?

--- Translation ---

In sports, I often start the game,
As a price, I quickly raise the aim.
On trouser legs, I can be seen,
On impact, you often hear me keen.

What am I, always called with 'der'?

Solution: der Aufschlag

📎 Additional Information

Word Composition: The word "Aufschlag" is a noun derived from the verb "aufschlagen" (to hit, to serve, to open, to add on). It consists of the prefix "auf" and the noun "Schlag".

• auf: on, up, onto
• der Schlag: the hit, strike, blow, beat

The different meanings reflect the various ways something can 'hit' or be 'added on' – whether it's a ball, a price, or a piece of fabric.