German Phrase
Heb die Quittungen und Rechnungen auf.
Meaning
The sentence means 'Keep the receipts and invoices.' It is a directive telling someone to store or retain those documents, often for accounting or tax purposes.
When to use
Use this phrase in an office, shop, or any situation where you need to remind a colleague or employee to file financial documents. It works both in spoken and written instructions.
✦Grammar Breakdown
HebdieQuittungenundRechnungenauf
Verb + separable prefix
In German, many verbs have separable prefixes that move to the end of the clause in main clauses, e.g., 'aufheben' becomes 'Heb ... auf.'
Definite article 'die' for plural nouns
The article 'die' is used for plural nouns regardless of gender, here for 'Quittungen' and 'Rechnungen'.
Accusative case after 'aufheben'
The direct objects of 'aufheben' (to keep, to store) are in the accusative case; plural nouns take the same form as nominative.
Conjunction 'und'
The coordinating conjunction 'und' simply links two nouns without changing their case.
🗨In Conversation
Kannst du bitte die Quittungen und Rechnungen aufheben?
Can you please keep the receipts and invoices?
Klar, ich lege sie sofort in den Ordner.
Sure, I’ll put them straight into the folder.
✕Common Mistakes
Habe die Quittungen und Rechnungen auf.
The verb 'haben' is not correct here; you need the separable verb 'aufheben' in imperative form.
Heb die Quittung und Rechnungen auf.
Both nouns must be plural to match the article 'die'.
Auf heb die Quittungen und Rechnungen.
The prefix 'auf' must stay at the end of the clause, not before the verb.
↔Alternatives
Bewahre die Quittungen und Rechnungen auf.
Preserve the receipts and invoices.
Leg die Quittungen und Rechnungen weg.
Put the receipts and invoices away.
Bitte die Quittungen und Rechnungen archivieren.
Please archive the receipts and invoices.
Cultural Tip
In German business culture, proper documentation is taken very seriously. Keeping receipts ('Quittungen') and invoices ('Rechnungen') organized is essential for tax audits. Using the polite form 'Könnten Sie bitte …' is common when speaking to a colleague you don't know well, while the imperative 'Heb … auf' is fine among teammates.