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auffordern

to call upon, to request, to demand that someone do something

verb OWF-for-dern Rare
Communication Speech

Also means

to invite (to dance)

Usage Note

auffordern means to formally or firmly request someone to do something. 'Er wurde aufgefordert, das Gebäude zu verlassen' (He was asked to leave the building). At a dance, jemanden auffordern means to invite someone to dance. It is more assertive than bitten (to ask).

Examples

"Die Moderatorin forderte das Publikum auf, seine Fragen zu stellen."

Natural Translation

The moderator called upon the audience to ask their questions.

Literal Translation

The moderator called the audience on, its questions to ask.

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