aufmerksam

Aufmerksam is a German adjective meaning paying attention, alert, mindful, or perceptive. It describes someone or something that notices details, responds readily, or shows consideration for others. Examples include eine aufmerksame Bedienung (attentive service) and ein aufmerksamer Zuhörer (attentive listener).

Grammatically, aufmerksam can be used attributively before a noun or predicatively after a linking verb. For example: Eine aufmerksame Person, Der Mann war aufmerksam. It can also function as an adverb in sentences like Sie hörte aufmerksam zu, meaning she listened attentively. A common verbal phrase is aufmerksamkeit machen or auf etwas aufmerksam machen, meaning to draw someone’s attention to something (Ich möchte dich auf einen Fehler aufmerksam machen).

The related noun is Aufmerksamkeit, which denotes attention or focus in general. Phrases such as Aufmerksamkeit schenken (to give attention) or Aufmerksamkeit erregen (to attract attention) are commonly used. The term is also found in medical contexts as part of the compound Aufmerksamkeitsdefizitstörung, the German designation for attention-deficit disorders.

Etymology traces aufmerksam to the prefix auf- combined with verbs related to noticing, such as merken or aufmerken, yielding the sense of turning one’s attention toward something. In everyday language, aufmerksam is often contrasted with unaufmerksam (inattentive). A closely related concept is achtsam, which conveys mindful or careful consideration, though usage can differ by context.