Aufgaben

Aufgaben is the plural form of the German noun Aufgabe, meaning task, assignment, duty, or undertaking. The word derives from the verb aufgeben, indicating something that is given or set to be done. In modern usage, Aufgaben refers to multiple tasks or assignments rather than a single one.

In everyday language and education, Aufgaben frequently appear as exercises or problems to solve. In schools and universities, they include Hausaufgaben (homework) and Aufgabenstellungen (assignment prompts). In tests and exams, individual Aufgaben are the questions or problems examinees must answer, sometimes divided into Teilaufgaben (subtasks).

Beyond education, Aufgaben are key in professional settings. In project management and operations, they denote discrete work items that must be completed, tracked, and assigned to team members. Common related terms include Aufgabenliste (task list), Aufgabenplanung (task planning), and Aufgabenzuweisung (task assignment). The concept underpins workflows, backlog management, and scheduling in many industries.

Usage and idiomatic phrases are widespread. One can say eine Aufgabe übernehmen (to take on a task), eine Aufgabe erfüllen (to fulfill a task), or eine Aufgabe bewältigen (to handle or master a task). The term is versatile and appears in administrative, technical, and organizational contexts, reflecting its broad sense of duties and activities to be completed.