Meanings

1. 1

   upwards movement

   auf- + nehmen (“to take, hold”) → aufnehmen (“to pick up”)

2. 2

   change to a different, better state (chiefly with adjectives or verbs from adjectives)

   auf- + besser (“better”) + -en → aufbessern (“to improve, supplement”)

3. 3

   amassing

   auf- + häufen (“to pile (up)”) → aufhäufen (“to form a pile or stack”)

4. 4

   spontaneous appearance

   auf- + lachen (“to laugh”) → auflachen (“to laugh suddenly, bark out a laugh”)

5. 5

   opening

   auf- + decken (“to cover”) → aufdecken (“to uncover, reveal”)

6. 6

   putting something in contact with a surface (from above)

   auf- + tragen (“to bear, carry”) → auftragen (“to apply”) (e.g. cream or salve)