German Phrase
Schreib die Namen und Titel auf.
Meaning
This is a direct instruction telling someone to write down both the names and the titles (e.g., of books, people, or positions). The verb ‘auf‑schreiben’ is used in its imperative form, so the sentence is short, clear, and action‑oriented.
When to use
Use this phrase in a classroom when a teacher asks students to copy a list, in an office when a colleague needs a quick inventory, or in any situation where you want someone to note down several items at once. It works best in informal contexts (du‑form).
✦Grammar Breakdown
SchreibdieNamenundTitelauf
Imperativ (du)
For the informal singular you drop the -e from the verb stem: schreiben → Schreib! (Schreibe is also possible but sounds more formal).
Trennbares Verb
‘auf‑schreiben’ is a separable verb; in the imperative the prefix ‘auf’ moves to the end of the clause.
Akkusativ Plural
‘die’ is the definite article for plural nouns in the accusative case, which is required because the names and titles are the direct objects of schreiben.
Plural Nouns
Both ‘Name’ and ‘Titel’ form their plural with –n and –e respectively: Namen, Titel.
Konjunktion ‘und’
‘und’ simply links two noun phrases; no extra comma is used in German.
🗨In Conversation
Schreib die Namen und Titel auf.
Write down the names and titles.
Klar, ich mache das gleich.
Sure, I’ll do it right away.
✕Common Mistakes
Schreibe die Namen und Titel auf.
‘Schreibe’ is a more formal version; for a casual ‘du’ command the preferred form is ‘Schreib…’.
Schreib die Namen und Titel.
Leaving out the separable prefix ‘auf’ changes the meaning to ‘write the names and titles’ (as a general act) rather than ‘write them down’.
Schreib den Namen und Titel auf.
‘Den’ is singular accusative; the sentence refers to multiple names and titles, so the plural article ‘die’ is required.
↔Alternatives
Notiere die Namen und Titel.
Note the names and titles.
Schreibe die Namen und Titel auf.
Write the names and titles down.
Bitte die Namen und Titel notieren.
Please note the names and titles.
Cultural Tip
German distinguishes between informal (du) and formal (Sie) imperatives. ‘Schreib … auf’ is informal; in a business or polite setting you would say ‘Schreiben Sie die Namen und Titel auf.’ Also, Germans appreciate concise, direct instructions, especially in written or academic contexts.