umdrehen
/ˈʔʊmdʁeːən/
The English phrase 'turn around' is translated into German as umdrehen.
The verb umdrehen is used to describe the action of physically rotating horizontally 180 degrees.
Meaning: intransitive: to physically rotate horizontally 180 degrees (verb)
Which one should you use?
Depending on the context, umdrehen can mean 'to turn around' (such as a person rotating) or 'to turn over' (such as turning over a piece of meat or a pancake).
How does it change in a sentence?
When a person is performing the action of turning themselves around, the verb is used reflexively as sich umdrehen. The past participle of the verb is umgedreht. Because it is a separable verb, the prefix um- moves to the end of the clause in simple present tense sentences.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʔʊmdʁeːən/
Did you know?
- While umdrehen means 'turn around', the word drehen on its own is used in German to describe the act of filming a movie or a scene.
- In German, the concept of 'turning around' in a car (a U-turn) is more commonly expressed as wenden rather than umdrehen.
- The prefix um- in umdrehen can also mean 'around' in a sense of 'changing' or 'transforming', similar to how the English word 'convert' functions.
Examples in context
- Du darfst dich jetzt umdrehen.You can turn around now.This sentence demonstrates the use of umdrehen when telling someone they are allowed to turn around.Tatoeba #11725304 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #5337248 by Hybrid
- Du fährst falsch. Du mußt umdrehen.You're going the wrong way. You've got to turn around.This sentence uses umdrehen to express the necessity of turning around when traveling the wrong way.Tatoeba #12631100 by Waldelfe, translation #10287707 by CK
- Umdrehen und mit dem Gesicht zur Wand!Turn around and face the wall.This sentence uses umdrehen as a command to turn around.Tatoeba #10290336 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2722438 by Hybrid
- Ich muss mich umwenden, um das zu sehen.I need to turn around to see that.
- Können Sie sich bitte umdrehen?Can you please turn around?
- Würden Sie sich bitte umwenden, wenn Sie so freundlich wären?If you would be so kind, could you please turn around?
- Dreh dich um, und schau in meine Richtung!Turn around and look towards me!
- Würde es Ihnen etwas ausmachen, sich umzuwenden?Would you mind turning around?
- Könnten Sie sich bitte umdrehen?Could you please turn around?
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah and Julian are playing a game of hide and seek in the garden.
- SarahJulian, du musst dich jetzt umdrehen!Julian, you have to turn around now!
- JulianSoll ich mich wirklich umdrehen?Should I really turn around?
- SarahJa, ich bin gleich hinter dir.Yes, I am right behind you.
- JulianOkay, ich habe mich umgedreht.Okay, I have turned around.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry umdrehen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
