aufzuspüren

Aufzuspüren is the infinitive form with zu of the separable German verb aufspüren, meaning to locate, track down, or uncover something or someone by searching, investigating, or tracing. The core sense is to discover the position, origin, or existence of something that is hidden, lost, or not immediately obvious. It is used in contexts such as law enforcement, security, criminology, archaeology, genealogy, and investigative journalism, as well as in everyday language when describing the act of finding something difficult to identify.

Formation and grammar: Aufspüren is formed from the prefix auf- plus spüren (to sense). It is a separable verb; in main clauses you can hear the verb parts split (spürt … auf). In infinitive constructions with zu, it appears as aufzuspüren. The past participle is aufgespürt.

Usage notes: The expression can refer to tracing physical objects (a missing person, a clue) or non-physical origins (the source of a problem, a historical lineage). It often implies persistence, systematic searching, and the use of methods or expertise. The nuance can range from practical locating to more investigative analysis.

Examples: Es ist schwer, den Ursprung aufzuspüren. Die Ermittler haben die Spur aufgespürt und den Verdächtigen festgenommen.

Synonyms include lokalisieren, aufdecken, ermitteln, nachverfolgen. The term is relatively formal and widely understood in professional and journalistic contexts, though it can appear in everyday language as well.