In an age when trainers seem acceptable almost everywhere and ‘smart casual’ can mean a clean hoodie, German still has a great expression for when you’ve made a proper effort with your appearance.
What does Aufbrezeln mean?
Aufbrezeln (usually sich aufbrezeln) is a casual German verb meaning “to dress up” or “doll oneself up” for a special occasion.
It describes the process of putting extra thought into your appearance in order to look more striking or glamorous than usual.
The verb combines the German words for “up” (auf) and “pretzel” (Brezel).
Just as a baker twists and shapes an ordinary piece of dough into an elaborate pattern, often adding salt, seeds and other finishing touches, a person who “pretzels themselves up” gives extra attention to their clothes, hair, make-up and accessories to create a more elaborate version of their usual appearance.
In everyday use, you’ll most often encounter it in its reflexive form (sich aufbrezeln):
Ich muss mich noch für das Abendessen aufbrezeln. (I still need to doll myself up for dinner.)
The past participle is aufgebrezelt, which can also function as an adjective:
Warum bist du so aufgebrezelt? (Why are you so dressed up?)
READ ALSO: German word of the day – Klamotten
Why do I need to know aufbrezeln?
Few people go through life without ever finding an occasion to dress up – and for many people getting ready is half the fun of going to a wedding, a party or out to a fancy restaurant.
Aufbrezeln is worth knowing largely because it seems to capture this sense of fun.
It may help to think of it as occupying the happy middle ground between sich schick machen (a neutral expression meaning “to make oneself look nice”) and sich protzig anziehen (“to dress ostentatiously”).
Aufbrezeln is not an insult (like protzig anziehen), but it does carry a slightly playful, teasing tone.
In other words, if someone says that you’ve aufgebrezelt yourself, they may be poking gentle fun at how much of an effort you’ve made, but – crucially – they’re not necessarily criticising the result.
Use it like this:
Ich habe mich für die Hochzeit richtig aufgebrezelt.
I really dressed up for the wedding.
Du hast dich heute aber aufgebrezelt!
You’ve really made an effort with your appearance today!
READ ALSO: ‘Sandals mean freedom’ – Eight tips on how to dress like a German
Wo wollt ihr denn hin? Ihr seid ja komplett aufgebrezelt!
Where are you off to? You’re completely dressed up!
Er war deutlich aufgebrezelter als alle anderen Gäste.
He was noticeably more dressed up than all the other guests.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: thelocal.de
