Before you start
Meet umstellen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
um- + stellen
- um-
- into a different position or arrangement
- stellen
- to put or place
Place things differently, or shift something into a new setup.
So umstellen means to rearrange; to switch or change over.
A memory aid, not a rule: prefixes change meaning from verb to verb.
Learning approach inspired by this explanation in r/German.
Verb family
More verbs built on stellen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
- vorstellento introduce, imagine
- darstellento depict, portray
- feststellento establish, detect
- einstellento adjust, employ, stop
- herstellento produce
- aufstellento put up, draw up
- anstellento employ, line up, get into mischief
- herausstellento emphasize, come to light
Separable verb: um·stellen
In a main clause the prefix um splits off and goes to the end. After weil, dass and other subordinating words, the verb stays in one piece at the end.
Main clauseSie stellt das Bett um.She rearranges the bed.
Subordinate clauseIch bleibe hier, weil ich den Tisch umstelle.I’m staying here because I’m rearranging the table.
Participle: umgestelltzu-infinitive: umzustellen
Forms
How umstellen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | stelle um | stellte um |
| du | stellst um | stelltest um |
| er/sie/es | stellt um | stellte um |
| wir | stellen um | stellten um |
| ihr | stellt um | stelltet um |
| Sie | stellen um | stellten um |
Partizip II umgestellt · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich stelle den Tisch um.I rearrange the table.prefix goes to the end
- 2Wir haben die Uhr umgestellt.We changed the clock.Perfekt with haben
- 3Du musst den Plan umstellen.You have to change the plan.modal verb with infinitive
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
umstellen + das Sofa
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Include das Sofa as the object.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I rearranged the chairsder Stuhl, die Stühle, and now they fitpassen bettergut.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When I moved intoeinziehen the newneu apartmentdie Wohnung, I rearranged the living roomdas Wohnzimmer.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She is changing her dietdie Ernährung because she wants to eatessen lessweniger meatdas Fleisch.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The tableder Tisch that we rearranged is bybei the windowdas Fenster now.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
We have to switch the computerder Computer to GermanDeutsch.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He rearranged his roomdas Zimmer to have more spaceder Platz.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Could you switch your phonedas Handy to silent modelautlos?
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 9 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
umstellen + der Tisch + obwohl
Your challenge
- 1Use the target verb with der Tisch.
- 2Add an obwohl-clause with its verb at the end.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
Have you ever rearranged your room? What did you change?
Your challenge
- 1Answer in one sentence using the Perfekt.
- 2Say what you rearranged.