auf|weichen
Translation
to soften, to soak, to water down, to undermine
Examples
Das Brot wird in der Milch aufgeweicht.
The bread is softened in the milk.
Er versuchte, die strengen Regeln aufzuweichen.
He tried to water down the strict rules.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to soften (sth.) You can soften the leather with oil.
((sth.)) to undermine/water down (sth.) They tried to water down the proposal.
Similar Words
Synonyms: einweichen (to soak), erweichen (to soften); Antonyms: härten (to harden)
Etymology
From 'auf-' (up, open) + 'weichen' (to soften, yield). To soften something up or make it yield.
Memory Tips
Imagine something hard becoming 'weich' (soft) after soaking, its structure opening 'auf' (up).