German Phrase
Pass auf der Leiter auf.
Meaning
A direct warning meaning ‘Be careful on the ladder.’ It tells the listener to stay alert and take precautions while standing on a ladder.
When to use
Use this phrase when someone is about to climb or is already on a ladder, especially in work‑site, home‑improvement, or any situation where a fall could be dangerous.
✦Grammar Breakdown
PassaufderLeiterauf
Imperative of separable verb
‘aufpassen’ is a separable verb; in the imperative the prefix ‘auf’ moves to the end of the sentence: ‘Pass auf … auf.’
Preposition ‘auf’ + dative
When ‘auf’ indicates a static location, it governs the dative case – ‘der Leiter’ (dative feminine).
Noun gender & article
‘Leiter’ (ladder) is feminine, so the dative article is ‘der’.
🗨In Conversation
Pass auf der Leiter auf!
Be careful on the ladder!
Danke, ich halte mich gut fest.
Thanks, I’ll hold on tightly.
✕Common Mistakes
Pass auf der Leiter.
Missing the final ‘auf’ – the separable prefix must appear at the end of the clause.
Pass auf die Leiter.
Wrong case: ‘auf’ with a static location requires dative ‘der’, not accusative ‘die’.
Aufpassen Sie auf der Leiter.
In the imperative for ‘Sie’, the prefix stays attached: ‘Passen Sie auf der Leiter auf.’
↔Alternatives
Sei vorsichtig auf der Leiter.
Be careful on the ladder.
Achte auf die Leiter.
Pay attention to the ladder.
Pass gut auf, wenn du die Leiter benutzt.
Watch out well when you use the ladder.
Cultural Tip
In German, many verbs are separable, and the particle moves to the end in main clauses. ‘Aufpassen’ is a common safety verb, and using the dative after ‘auf’ signals a stationary position (on the ladder) rather than movement (onto the ladder, which would take the accusative). Also, ‘Leiter’ can mean ‘director’ in other contexts, so the surrounding words clarify that you’re talking about a physical ladder.