aufschiebe

Aufschieben is a German verb with a separable prefix. It primarily means to move something to a later time or date—i.e., to postpone or defer a task, appointment, decision, or deadline. In some contexts it can also denote a physical action of pushing something upward, though the temporal sense is far more common in everyday language.

In present tense, the prefix is separated: ich schiebe auf, du schiebst auf, er/sie/es schiebt auf, wir schieben auf, ihr schiebt auf, sie schieben auf. Example: Ich schiebe den Termin auf nächste Woche. In future or infinite constructions the prefix remains attached to the infinitive: Ich werde den Termin aufschieben.

Related forms include Aufschub (noun) and Aufschiebung, both referring to a postponement or delay. These terms are common in administrative or formal contexts.

Common synonyms are verschieben, hinauszögern, and verzögern. Verschieben is a general term for moving something to another time or place without the stronger sense of intent implied by aufschieben. Hinauszögern emphasizes delaying to a later point, often with reluctance.

Usage notes: Aufschieben often implies an intentional delay with the plan to address the item later, whereas verschieben can be more neutral. In English, aufschieben is typically translated as to postpone or to defer; to procrastinate can convey a similar sense but carries a broader behavioral nuance.

Etymology: derived from auf- (up/forward) + schieben (to push).