auffahren

to drive up, to run into (from behind)

verb OWF-fah-ren Rare

Also means

to start forward suddenly

Usage Note

auffahren has two main movement senses: to drive up a ramp or incline (auf die Autobahn auffahren — join the motorway), and to run into the back of another vehicle (auf das vorausfahrende Auto auffahren — rear-end the car ahead). Context distinguishes the two clearly.

Examples

"Bei Nebel fuhr ein Lastwagen auf das stehende Fahrzeug auf."

Natural Translation

In fog a lorry ran into the stationary vehicle from behind.

Literal Translation

In fog a lorry drove up onto the standing vehicle.

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