aufzuhängen

Aufzuhängen is the infinitive with zu form of the German verb aufhängen, a separable-prefix verb meaning primarily to hang up or to suspend something. In everyday use it denotes placing an object in an elevated position or on a support, for example walls, hooks, lines, or rails. Common examples include das Bild aufhängen (to hang the picture on the wall) and die Vorhänge aufhängen (to hang the curtains).

Morphology and usage: aufhängen is transitive. In finite main clauses the prefix separates, yielding forms such as hänge...auf: Ich hänge das Bild auf. In perfect tense the participle is aufgehängt: Ich habe das Bild aufgehängt. The infinitive with zu is das Bild aufzuhängen. The verb also appears in contexts of suspending more abstract things, such as a plan or a rule, though less frequently than concrete objects.

Related senses and caveats: besides its primary sense of hanging up objects, aufhängen can, in some contexts, refer to suspending or delaying actions or procedures. It is important to distinguish this from phrases using other verbs for related ideas, such as auf Eis legen (to put on hold) or hissen (to hoist a flag). In addition, sich aufhängen is a separate, sensitive usage meaning to hang oneself, a topic treated with care in discourse; this article notes the sense without providing any guidance, and readers in distress should seek appropriate help.

See also: German separable-prefix verbs, verb prefixes, and common collocations with aufhängen.