to modify
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to modify
To change, alter, or adapt something in a particular way, often in order to improve it or make it suitable for a new purpose.
Wir müssen den ursprünglichen Plan leicht modifizieren, um die Kosten zu senken.
We need to modify the original plan slightly in order to reduce costs.
'Modifizieren' (to modify) is a rather formal or technical word for 'verändern' (to change) or 'anpassen' (to adapt). It is often used in technical, scientific, or official contexts.
Der Ingenieur muss die Konstruktion des Motors modifizieren.
The engineer has to modify the design of the engine.
'Modifizieren' (to modify) is a transitive verb and always requires an accusative object. So the question is always: whom or what does someone modify?
Die Autorin modifizierte den letzten Absatz ihres Romans.
The author modified the last paragraph of her novel.
The past participle 'modifiziert' (modified) is very often used as an adjective. The related noun is 'die Modifikation' (the modification).
Nach der Modifikation funktionierte das Programm fehlerfrei.
After the modification, the program worked flawlessly.
You can almost always recognize the meaning 'genetically alter' from the context of biology or from the adverb 'genetisch' (genetically). The phrase 'genetisch modifiziert' (genetically modified) is a fixed collocation.
Viele Lebensmittel enthalten heute genetisch modifizierte Zutaten.
Many foods today contain genetically modified ingredients.
to change
'ändern' and 'modifizieren' both mean that something does not stay the same. 'ändern' is the normal everyday word and works for almost any change, large or small. 'modifizieren' sounds more precise and somewhat more technical. It is often used when you deliberately adapt something, for example a plan, a program, or a model. In everyday language, 'ändern' is usually more natural; 'modifizieren' fits better when the change sounds targeted and technical or factual.
Moritz modifiziert die Präsentation, damit sie besser zur neuen Zielgruppe passt.
Moritz is modifying the presentation so that it better fits the new target audience.
Nach dem Gespräch ändern wir den Termin für die Prüfung.
After the conversation, we are changing the date for the exam.