verändern

change

verb fer-EN-dern Less Common

Origin: from 'ander' (other) plus prefix 'ver-'

Also means

alter

Usage Note

verändern stresses transformation of something's nature, and the reflexive sich verändern means 'to change (oneself)' or even 'to change jobs'. Contrast ändern, which is for smaller adjustments or fixes.

Examples

"Das Internet hat alles verändert."

Natural Translation

The internet has changed everything.

Literal Translation

The internet has everything changed.

Related Words

Explore German by topic

GermanNow

German Body Parts: Vocabulary + How to Say It Hurts

Learn German body parts with der/die/das and plurals, plus the two ways to say something hurts: Mir tut der Kopf weh and Ich habe Kopfschmerzen.

June 9, 2026 5 min read

GermanNow

German Colors: Names, Shades, and Idioms

German colors are adjectives that take endings — say das rote Auto, not das rot Auto. Get the names, shades, the das-Rot rule, and 14 color idioms.

June 5, 2026 5 min read

GermanNow

Du vs. Sie: When to Use Each in German

Use Sie with strangers, elders, and at work; use du with friends, family, kids, and peers. Here's how to pick the right German you every time.

June 5, 2026 6 min read

GermanNow

German False Friends: 25 Words That Trick You

German false friends like Gift (poison) and bekommen (to receive) trick English speakers daily. Here are 25 words that mean the opposite of what you'd guess.

June 5, 2026 5 min read