Breakdown of Leg das Buch aufs Bett.
das Buch
the book
das Bett
the bed
legen
to lay / to put (flat)
aufs
onto the (auf + das)
Questions & Answers about Leg das Buch aufs Bett.
What does aufs mean, and why is it used here?
aufs is a short way of saying auf das. Because you are moving the book to a destination (onto the bed), the two-way preposition auf needs the accusative case. Since Bett is a neuter noun, the accusative article is das, which combines with the preposition into aufs.
How do I know whether to use the accusative or dative case with auf in sentences like this?
Two-way prepositions take the accusative case when there is a change of location or movement toward a goal (answering "where to?" or wohin?). Because you are actively putting the book onto the bed, you use the accusative. If the book were already resting there, you would use the dative to describe its fixed location (answering "where at?" or wo?): Das Buch liegt auf dem Bett.
Why is the verb just Leg without an ending or a pronoun like du?
This is a command (the imperative form) for someone you would address as du (informal "you"). To give a command to one person, you take the normal verb form (du legst), drop the -st ending, and leave out the word du.
Could I say Stell das Buch aufs Bett instead of Leg?
You use legen (to lay flat) because you are placing the book flat on the bed. stellen means to stand something upright. You could technically use stell if you were carefully balancing the book upright on its edge, but legen is the normal and expected verb here!
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