Before you start
Meet umwandeln
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
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
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
umwandeln + das Wasser
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Say what you turn das Wasser into.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
We converted it into a smallklein gardender Garten.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When we movedumziehen, we converted the roomdas Zimmer into a kitchendie Küche.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He converted the oldalt roomdas Zimmer into a bedroomdas Schlafzimmer because his sonder Sohn neededbrauchen one.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The machinedie Maschine that converts sunlightdas Sonnenlicht into electricityder Strom is on our roofdas Dach.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
We want to convert the garagedie Garage into a smallklein roomdas Zimmer.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
They savedsparen moneydas Geld to convert their gardender Garten into a playgroundder Spielplatz.
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 convert this filedie Datei into a PDF for me?
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:
umwandeln + das alte Haus + obwohl
Your challenge
- 1Start with an obwohl-clause.
- 2Use the Perfekt in that clause.
- 3Say what das alte Haus became.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
What would you like to convert in your home, and into what?
Your challenge
- 1Answer in one sentence using umwandeln.
- 2Say what you would convert and what it would become.