aufzuweichen

Aufzuweichen is a German verb formed with the separable prefix auf- and the verb weichen (to yield, to soften). The basic sense is to become softer, looser, or more lenient, either literally (for example, material softening) or figuratively (for example, a policy or stance). The infinitive with zu, aufzuweichen, is used in combination with other verbs (for example, beabsichtigen, versuchen, planen, es ist nötig), and in subordinate clauses.

In terms of grammar, aufweichen is a separable verb. In finite clauses the prefix can split from the stem, yielding forms like weicht auf or weichen die Regeln auf, depending on argument structure. In clauses with zu, the construction occurs as Aufzuweichen, as in Es ist nötig, die Regeln aufzuweichen. The phrase can also appear in contexts where the action is physical (to soften a material) or figurative (to soften a position or rule). Typical synonyms include mildern, lockern, erleichtern, while antonyms include verschärfen or verschließen.

Common usage spans political, social, and legal discourse, where an institution might consider or announce a relaxation of rules or stances. Example sentences: Die Regierung plant, die Regeln aufzuweichen. Man versucht, die harte Haltung aufzuweichen. Es ist wichtig, die Bestimmungen aufzuweichen, um neuen Gegebenheiten gerecht zu werden.

Noun forms include das Aufweichen or das Aufweichens, with Aufweichung being the more common term for the process of becoming softer or less strict. The meaning and nuance of aufzuweichen depend on context, ranging from physical softening to strategic or normative relaxation.