umdrehen
to turn over
To turn or flip something onto the other side.
EXAMPLE
Du musst das Steak in der Pfanne umdrehen, damit es von beiden Seiten gar wird.
You need to turn the steak over in the pan so that it cooks on both sides.
umdrehen
to turn over / turn around
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Meanings
sich umdrehen
to turn around
To turn around one's own axis in order to look or go in the opposite direction.
EXAMPLE
Als sie ihren Namen rufen hörte, drehte sie sich sofort um.
When she heard her name being called, she turned around immediately.
umdrehen
to turn back
To stop going along the chosen route and return in the opposite direction.
EXAMPLE
Wir waren schon fast am Gipfel, aber wegen des aufziehenden Gewitters mussten wir umdrehen.
We were already almost at the summit, but because of the approaching thunderstorm we had to turn back.
jemandem das Wort im Mund umdrehen
to twist someone's words
To deliberately report or distort a person's statement incorrectly in order to give it a different meaning.
EXAMPLE
Sei fair und hör auf, mir ständig das Wort im Mund umzudrehen!
Be fair and stop constantly twisting my words!
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Umdrehen' (to turn over / turn around) is a separable verb. The prefix 'um' comes at the end in main clauses. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Er dreht den Pfannkuchen geschickt um.
He skillfully turns the pancake over.
Context clues
The exact meaning often depends on the object. With an accusative object, it means 'wenden' (to turn over / flip). Reflexively ('sich'), it means to turn the body. Without an object, it usually means 'zurückkehren' (to return / turn back).
EXAMPLE
Kannst du bitte die Seite im Buch umdrehen?
Can you please turn the page in the book?
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'wenden' (to turn over / flip), 'umdrehen' is often used with flat objects or things with two sides. Typical phrases are: 'eine Münze umdrehen' (to turn over a coin), 'eine Karte umdrehen' (to turn over a card), or 'den Schlüssel im Schloss umdrehen' (to turn the key in the lock).
EXAMPLE
Er drehte die Münze um, um das Ergebnis zu sehen.
He turned the coin over to see the result.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'jemandem das Wort im Mund umdrehen' (to twist someone's words) is a fixed unit. The person whose words are being distorted is always in the dative.
EXAMPLE
In Diskussionen neigt er dazu, anderen das Wort im Mund umzudrehen.
In discussions, he tends to twist other people's words.
Compare with
umdrehen vs wenden
to turn / contact
When referring to a vehicle, wenden and umdrehen can both express changing to the opposite direction. Wenden particularly describes the driving maneuver needed to do this. Umdrehen is more general and, in colloquial use, emphasizes abandoning the route so far and driving back.
umdrehen
Wegen der Straßensperre dreht die Fahrerin um und fährt nach Hause.
Because of the road closure, the driver turns around and drives home.
wenden
Vor der Straßensperre wendet die Fahrerin ihr Auto in einer Einfahrt.
Before the road closure, the driver turns her car around in a driveway.
In real life
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