erwachen
Translation
to awaken, to wake up
Examples
Die Natur erwacht im Frühling.
Nature awakens in spring.
Er ist aus einem langen Koma erwacht.
He awoke from a long coma.
Grammar Patterns
((from sth.)) to awaken (from sth.) He awoke from a dream.
Similar Words
Synonym: aufgewacht; Antonym: eingeschlafen (fallen asleep)
Etymology
From 'er-' (prefix for the beginning of a process) + 'wachen' (to be awake). So, 'to begin to be awake'.
Memory Tips
'Erwachen' is often more poetic or metaphorical, while 'aufwachen' is the everyday 'to wake up'.