German word

ändern

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈɛndɐn/

Meaning

  • verbchange

Example

Ich ändere den Plan.

I am changing the plan.

Illustration for ändern (change)

More examples

Du musst das Passwort ändern.

You must change the password.

Core concept

A plan moves from its current form to a different one, whether through a small adjustment or a substantial alteration.

Common phrases

  • das Passwort ändern

    change the password

  • seine Meinung ändern

    change his opinion

  • die Pläne ändern

    change the plans

Similar words

verändern: To change some features or content while leaving the rest as it is.
wechseln: To switch from one thing or state to another.
tauschen: To swap two things so that each takes the other's place.

Definition in German

etwas in einen anderen Zustand oder eine andere Form bringen; etwas verändern

Word origin

Ändern developed through Middle High German ändern from ander, meaning "other," and reflects the idea of making something different.

Usage tips

  • German distinguishes transitive ändern from reflexive sich ändern: Ich ändere den Plan, but Der Plan ändert sich.

Other meanings

  • varyverb
  • amendverb
  • reviseverb

Opposites

Related words

  • die Änderungchangenoun
  • veränderlichchangeableadjective
  • verändernchangeverb

Word lists with this word