German word

umgekehrt

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʊmgəˌkeːɐ̯t/

Meaning

  • adverbthe other way around

Example

Ich habe es umgekehrt gemacht.

I did it the other way around.

Illustration for umgekehrt (the other way around)

More examples

In der Praxis funktioniert das Prinzip oft umgekehrt.

In practice, the principle often works the other way around.

Core concept

The two sides of an arrangement trade places, making the original relation run the other way.

Common phrases

  • teilweise umgekehrt

    partly the other way around

  • in der Praxis umgekehrt

    in practice, the other way around

Similar words

andersherum: In the reverse direction or sequence, informally.
umgedreht: With something turned over or placed in reverse order.
verkehrt: In an orientation opposite to the intended top, bottom, left, or right.

Definition in German

in entgegengesetzter Richtung oder Reihenfolge; im Gegenteil verwendet

Word origin

The word developed from the past participle of umkehren, a compound of um- and kehren, 'to turn', and later functions adverbially.

Usage tips

  • The fixed phrase und umgekehrt means 'and vice versa'; it refers to reversing the relation, not necessarily to rotating an object.

Other meanings

  • upside downadverb

Related words

  • Umkehrschlussinverse conclusionnoun
  • umkehrenreverseverb

Word lists with this word