aufweisen

Aufweisen is a German verb meaning to display, exhibit, or possess certain features, characteristics, or deficiencies. It is commonly used in formal, technical, and academic contexts to describe what a thing or entity has or shows, including measurable properties, symptoms, or traits.

Etymology and grammar: the verb comes from auf- (on, toward) combined with weisen (to point or indicate). It is a separable-prefix verb, typically forming the sentence structure where the prefix appears at the end: Der Bericht weist mehrere Fehler auf. The past participle is aufgewiesen, and in perfect constructions you would say Der Bericht hat drei Fehler aufgewiesen.

Usage and examples: aufweisen is used with a direct object that names the features or problems being displayed. Examples include: Der Bericht weist mehrere Fehler auf. Die Studie weist eine signifikante Abweichung auf. Dieses Produkt weist eine Reihe von Merkmalen auf. In technical writing, it often emphasizes the presence of specific attributes or deficiencies rather than an active demonstration.

Synonyms and nuance: aufweisen is more formal and typical of scientific, statistical, or evaluative text. Close synonyms include zeigen, vorliegen, enthalten, or verzeichnen, but each has a distinct nuance. zeigen is broader and less formal; vorliegen signals that something exists; enthalten means “contains”; verzeichnen emphasizes recorded features or entries. Aufweisen focuses on the presence or display of particular characteristics or shortcomings.

See also: related verbs such as aufzeigen (to indicate or reveal) and the broader concept of describing specifications or findings in German-language technical writing.