Verb

auf|fallen

Translation

to stand out, to be noticeable, to notice

Sein seltsames Verhalten fällt mir auf.

I notice his strange behavior.

Das bunte Kleid fällt sofort auf.

The colorful dress stands out immediately.

((sb.dat)) to be noticed by sb. His accent was immediately noticeable to me.

((durch sth.acc)) to stand out because of sth. She stands out because of her red hair.

bemerken (to notice), hervorstechen (to stand out)

From 'auf' (on, up) and 'fallen' (to fall). Literally 'to fall upon' (one's senses or attention).

Imagine something 'falls on' ('auf' + 'fallen') your eye. You can't help but notice it.