adverb
on it, after that
A2
Means 'on it' (literally 'auf + da') and 'after that' or 'thereupon'. It's a pronominal adverb (da + preposition) referring back to something. Often appears where a prepositional object is compressed (e.g. warten auf → darauf warten). No auxiliary; used in spoken and written German.
Examples
Das Buch liegt darauf.
The book is on it.
Der Schüler wartete darauf, dass der Lehrer die Prüfungen zurückgab, weil er die Note wissen wollte.
The student waited for the teacher to return the exams because he wanted to know the grade.
Wir sprechen später, und darauf folgen die Details per E‑Mail.
We'll talk later, and after that the details will follow by email.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture a hand pointing 'on that' surface — 'darauf'.
Sounds like 'da roof' — imagine something placed on a roof (on it).