auf|blähen
Translation
to inflate, to bloat, to puff up, to exaggerate
Examples
Der Wind blähte die Segel auf.
The wind inflated the sails.
Manche Lebensmittel blähen den Bauch auf.
Some foods bloat the stomach.
Er neigt dazu, seine Erfolge aufzublähen.
He tends to inflate his achievements.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to inflate sth. The wind inflated the sails.
sich aufblähen to bloat My stomach feels bloated.
Similar Words
aufpumpen (to pump up), anschwellen (to swell up)
Etymology
Composed of 'auf-' (up) and 'blähen' (to blow, swell). The literal meaning is 'to blow up'.
Memory Tips
Visualize blowing 'auf' (up) a balloon. This action can be applied literally to a stomach or figuratively to an ego or numbers.