German word

umbenennen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʊmbəˌnɛnən/

Meaning

  • verbrename

Example

Ich benenne die Datei um.

I rename the file.

Illustration for umbenennen (rename)

More examples

Kannst du den Benutzernamen umbenennen?

Can you rename the username?

Core concept

The same thing keeps its identity while its identifying name is replaced.

Common phrases

  • den Dateinamen umbenennen

    rename the filename

  • einen Benutzernamen umbenennen

    rename a username

Similar words

benennen: Give a person, place, or thing an official name.
nennen: Call a person or thing by a particular name or term.
ändern: Alter the qualities or state of something.

Definition in German

den bisherigen Namen ändern und durch einen neuen ersetzen

Word origin

The verb is a Germanic compound of um- and benennen, the latter built on nennen, so its formation reflects changing an assigned name.

Usage tips

  • Benennen can assign or designate a name, whereas umbenennen specifically changes a name that already exists.

Other meanings

  • change one's nameverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word