umwenden
turn over
Definition & meaning
umwenden means to turn something over, around, or in the opposite direction.
- To turn something over: ein Blatt umwenden — to turn a page or sheet over.
- To turn something around or reverse its direction: das Auto umwenden — to turn the car around.
- Reflexive: sich umwenden means to turn around, often to look behind oneself: Sie wandte sich um — “She turned around.”
The exact meaning depends on what is being turned.
Grammar & Word origin
umwenden is a separable verb: Ich wende das Blatt um (“I turn the sheet over”). In the infinitive and past participle, the prefix stays attached: umzuwenden, umgewendet.
It is formed from um (“around, over”) and wenden (“to turn”). Common past forms include wendete um or wandte um; the past participle is umgewendet or umgewandt.
Synonyms & antonyms
- umdrehen — “to turn over” or “turn around”; often a close, everyday synonym. Umwenden can sound more deliberate or formal.
- wenden — “to turn” or “reverse direction”; broader and does not necessarily imply turning something over.
- sich umdrehen — “to turn around”; a common alternative to reflexive sich umwenden.
- ke hrtmachen — “to make a U-turn” or “turn back”; usually describes changing one’s direction, not turning an object over.
There is no single antonym that fits every meaning. Depending on the context, liegen lassen (“leave as it is”) can contrast with turning something over, while weitergehen (“continue onward”) can contrast with turning back.
Common phrases & collocations
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Examples
Wenden Sie das Steak in der Pfanne um.verb
Turn over the steak in the pan.
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