Aufholen

Aufholen is a German verb meaning to catch up, to make up for lost time or deficits, or to close a gap in progress, performance, or timing. It is commonly used when someone or something has fallen behind and is now attempting to reach an expected level again. The word is formed from auf- (up, again) and holen (to fetch, to retrieve) and is typically separable in its conjugation (Ich hole auf; er hat aufgeholt).

In everyday language, aufholen can refer to time, tasks, or performance. Examples include aufholen mit der Arbeit, aufholen nach einer Krankheit oder aufholen bei Hausaufgaben. The expression emphasizes recovering a delay or arrears and often implies a plan or effort to reach a target again.

In economics and development, Aufholen is used to describe catch-up dynamics. A Aufholprozess or Nachholprozess refers to faster growth in less-developed economies or regions relative to advanced ones, enabling them to close income or productivity gaps over time. This process can be driven by technology transfer, capital deepening, policy reforms, and adopting best practices.

In education, Aufholen denotes strategies to mitigate learning losses and accelerate student progress. Terms like Aufholunterricht or Förderprogramme describe tutoring, intensive coursework, and targeted interventions designed to help students reach curriculum goals after disruptions.

Other uses include sports and politics, where Aufholen can describe a “comeback” or an effort to reduce a deficit in standings or in poll numbers. The term conveys a deliberate effort to regain a previous level of performance or position.