to alternate / vary
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to take turns
When two or more people or things perform the same activity one after another or are in a certain state in alternation. You do something by taking turns.
Wir wechseln uns beim Fahren auf der langen Strecke ab.
We take turns driving on the long route.
to vary
To vary something or make it more diverse in order to avoid monotony.
Sie wechselt ihre Trainingsroutine jede Woche ab, um motiviert zu bleiben.
She varies her training routine every week to stay motivated.
'Abwechseln' (to alternate/vary) is a separable verb. The prefix 'ab' comes at the end of the sentence in a main clause. In subordinate clauses or in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb is not separated.
Die beiden Sängerinnen wechseln sich auf der Bühne ab.
The two singers take turns on stage.
The grammar indicates the meaning. 'Sich abwechseln' (to take turns) is reflexive and means that people or things act one after another. 'Etwas abwechseln' (to vary something) is transitive, needs an accusative object, and means to vary something.
Die Kinder wechseln sich beim Schaukeln ab.
The children take turns on the swing.
When taking turns with an activity, the preposition 'bei' + dative is often used. When taking turns with another person, you use 'mit' + dative.
Mein Kollege und ich wechseln uns bei der Betreuung der Kunden ab.
My colleague and I take turns looking after the customers.
The verb 'abwechseln' (to alternate/vary) is closely related to the noun 'die Abwechslung' (variety, change). When you vary something, you create variety.
Um für Abwechslung zu sorgen, wechselt sie die Themen ihrer Vorträge oft ab.
To create variety, she often varies the topics of her presentations.
to vary
Variieren means deliberately modifying individual elements to create different forms. Abwechseln refers here to several activities or things taking their turn one after another. If you change the design, variieren is the right word; if you switch between existing elements, abwechseln is the right word.
Im Training wechseln sich Kraft- und Ausdauerübungen ab.
Strength and endurance exercises alternate during the workout.
Die Trainerin variiert die Übungen durch unterschiedliche Bewegungen.
The trainer varies the exercises by using different movements.
