to amend
Loading your saved state.
to amend
To change something existing, such as a text, a plan, or a law, in parts or details in order to adapt or improve it. It usually implies a minor change rather than a fundamental one.
Der Vertragsentwurf muss noch in einigen Punkten abgeändert werden.
The draft contract still needs to be amended in a few points.
'Abändern' (to amend) is a separable verb. The prefix 'ab-' comes at the end in main clauses. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Wir ändern den ursprünglichen Plan leicht ab.
We are slightly amending the original plan.
This verb is almost always used in reference to official or formal documents and plans. Typical objects are: 'einen Vertrag abändern' (to amend a contract), 'ein Gesetz abändern' (to amend a law), 'einen Antrag abändern' (to amend an application/motion), or 'einen Entwurf abändern' (to amend a draft).
Der Autor möchte einige Sätze im Manuskript noch abändern.
The author still wants to amend a few sentences in the manuscript.
'Abändern' (to amend) belongs more to written language and is often used in formal, administrative, or legal contexts. It sounds more official than the neutral verb 'ändern' (to change).
Das Parlament hat den Gesetzesentwurf in zweiter Lesung abgeändert.
Parliament amended the draft law in its second reading.
to change
'ändern' and 'abändern' can both mean that you make something existing different. 'ändern' is more general and can refer to a small or large change. 'abändern' is used more with texts, plans, rules, or contracts when you adjust individual parts. The words can be confused because both describe a change. As a simple guideline: 'ändern' almost always fits, while 'abändern' sounds more precise when something is already finished or fixed and is only being changed in details.
Zur Vorbereitung hat das Team den Vertrag an zwei Stellen abgeändert.
In preparation, the team amended the contract in two places.
Frau Müller ändert vor dem Termin noch die Uhrzeit.
Ms. Müller changes the time before the appointment.