aufzublasen

Aufzublasen is a German verb that translates to "to inflate" or "to blow up" in English. It is a common verb used in various contexts, both literal and figurative.

Literally, aufzublasen describes the action of filling something with air or gas. This can refer to everyday objects such as balloons, tires, or inflatable toys. For example, one might say "Ich muss den Fahrradreifen aufblasen" (I need to inflate the bicycle tire) or "Die Kinder haben bunte Luftballons aufgeblasen" (The children blew up colorful balloons). The verb can also be used for larger objects like inflatable boats or air mattresses.

Figuratively, aufzublasen can describe the act of making something seem larger or more important than it actually is. This can apply to people, ideas, or situations. For instance, someone might be accused of "sich aufzublasen" (puffing oneself up) if they are being arrogant or boastful. Similarly, a rumor might be "aufgeblasen" (inflated) if it has been exaggerated. In finance, an asset bubble can be described as "aufgeblasen" if its price is artificially high.

The verb is conjugated regularly in German. The infinitive is aufblasen. The past participle is aufgeblasen. When used with a separable prefix, the prefix "auf-" separates from the verb in many conjugations. For example, in the present tense, "Ich blase den Ball auf" (I am blowing up the ball), but in the past tense, "Ich habe den Ball aufgeblasen" (I blew up the ball).