Before you start
Meet umwandeln
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
All 3 meanings
- to convert, change, commute
- to transform, transmute
- (transitive, chess) to promote (a pawn)
Build the meaning
um- + wandeln
- um-
- into a different form or state
- wandeln
- to change
Something changes into a different form or state.
So umwandeln means to convert; to transform.
A memory aid, not a rule: prefixes change meaning from verb to verb.
Learning approach inspired by this explanation in r/German.
Separable verb: um·wandeln
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 clauseEr wandelt das Foto in ein Bild um.He converts the photo into an image.
Subordinate clauseIch bleibe hier, weil sie den Plan umwandelt.I stay here because she is changing the plan.
Participle: umgewandeltzu-infinitive: umzuwandeln
Forms
How umwandeln changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | wandle um | wandelte um |
| du | wandelst um | wandeltest um |
| er/sie/es | wandelt um | wandelte um |
| wir | wandeln um | wandelten um |
| ihr | wandelt um | wandeltet um |
| Sie | wandeln um | wandelten um |
Partizip II umgewandelt · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich wandle Euro in Dollar um.I convert euros into dollars.prefix goes to the end
- 2Wir haben den Text in eine Tabelle umgewandelt.We converted the text into a table.Perfekt with haben
- 3Sie kann Wasser in Eis umwandeln.She can turn water into ice.modal verb with infinitive