umdrehen
/ˈʔʊmdʁeːən/
The English phrase "roll over" is translated into German as umdrehen.
The verb umdrehen is used to mean turning something over or turning around. It is also used figuratively in the German idiom for "to roll over in one's grave."
Meaning: to make a rolling motion or turn (verb)
Which one should you use?
The meaning of the verb changes based on whether you use a reflexive pronoun. Without a reflexive pronoun, umdrehen means to turn something over, such as a piece of meat or a pancake. To express that a person or animal rolls over or turns around themselves, you must use the reflexive pronoun sich with umdrehen.
How does it change in a sentence?
umdrehen is a separable verb. This means the prefix um- moves to the end of the clause when using the simple present or simple past tenses.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʔʊmdʁeːən/
Did you know?
- The verb drehen is used in German filmmaking to mean 'to film' or 'to shoot' a scene, which shares the same linguistic root as 'turning' a camera.
- In German, the phrase for 'turning' a page in a book is umblättern, but if you 'roll over' or flip a physical object to see the other side, you must use umdrehen.
- The root verb drehen is also the basis for the word 'der Dreh' (the turn/twist), which is used in German to describe a 'plot twist' in a movie or book.
Examples in context
- Da würde er sich im Grab umdrehen.That would make him roll over in his grave.This sentence demonstrates the figurative use of umdrehen in the idiom regarding rolling over in one's grave.Tatoeba #12279119 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #10642316 by felidad
- Könntest du dich bitte umdrehen?Could you please roll over?
- Bitte dreh dich auf den Rücken!Please roll onto your back!
- Würdest du dich auf den Rücken drehen, bitte?Would you roll onto your back, please?
- Rolle dich um, bitte!Roll over, please!
- Kannst du dich bitte umrollen?Can you roll over, please?
- Kannst du dich bitte auf den Bauch umdrehen?Can you please roll over onto your stomach?
- Der Hund muss sich für das Leckerli umdrehen.The dog has to roll over for the treat.
Example conversation
Felix is helping Hannah with some physical therapy exercises.
- FelixHannah, kannst du dich bitte auf die Seite umdrehen?Hannah, can you please roll over onto your side?
- HannahJa, ich versuche es jetzt.Yes, I am trying it now.
- FelixGut gemacht, du musst dich nur noch etwas umdrehen.Well done, you just need to roll over a little more.
- HannahSo, jetzt bin ich fertig.There, now I am finished.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry umdrehen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries umdrehen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
