konvertieren
to convert
In information technology, to change data or a file from one format into another.
EXAMPLE
Ich muss dieses Word-Dokument in eine PDF-Datei konvertieren.
I have to convert this Word document into a PDF file.
konvertieren
to convert
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Meanings
konvertieren
to convert
To change to another religion, worldview, or faith.
EXAMPLE
Nach langer Überlegung ist er zum Buddhismus konvertiert.
After long consideration, he converted to Buddhism.
konvertieren
to convert
In finance, to change something into another form, for example one currency into another or a convertible bond into shares.
EXAMPLE
Die Anleger haben die Möglichkeit, ihre Anleihen in Aktien des Unternehmens zu konvertieren.
The investors have the option to convert their bonds into shares of the company.
Usage tips
Regular verb
Verbs ending in '-ieren' are always regular and inseparable. The past participle is formed without 'ge-'. So it is 'er hat konvertiert' (he converted / has converted).
EXAMPLE
Er hat die Datei erfolgreich in ein anderes Format konvertiert.
He successfully converted the file into another format.
Three main contexts
The word is mainly used in three areas: IT (files, formats), religion (faith), and finance (currencies, shares). The rest of the sentence always makes clear which area is meant.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du mir zeigen, wie man eine MP3-Datei konvertiert?
Can you show me how to convert an MP3 file?
Sentence structure in IT
In a technical context, you use the structure: etwas (accusative) in etwas anderes (accusative) konvertieren — to convert something into something else.
EXAMPLE
Bitte konvertiere diese Präsentation in ein PDF.
Please convert this presentation into a PDF.
Sentence structure for religion
When someone changes religion, the fixed structure is: zu einer Religion (dative) konvertieren — to convert to a religion. The auxiliary verb in the perfect tense is usually 'sein' here, to emphasize the transition.
EXAMPLE
Sie ist vor einigen Jahren zum Judentum konvertiert.
She converted to Judaism a few years ago.
Sentence structure in finance
Similar to IT, the structure here is: etwas (accusative) in etwas anderes (accusative) konvertieren — to convert something into something else.
EXAMPLE
Im Urlaub musste ich meine Euros in britische Pfund konvertieren.
On vacation, I had to convert my euros into British pounds.
Compare with
konvertieren vs umwandeln
to convert / transform
Umwandeln is the more general term for bringing something into another form or format. Konvertieren is used especially for data and files and is the usual technical term for changing formats in that context. In everyday language, „umwandeln“ is possible, but with files, „konvertieren“ sounds more precise.
konvertieren
Für den Versand konvertiere ich die Datei in das PDF-Format.
For sending, I convert the file to PDF format.
umwandeln
Für den Versand wandle ich die Datei in das PDF-Format um.
For sending, I convert the file to PDF format.
In real life
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