to repurpose
Loading your saved state.
to repurpose
To give an object, a room, or something else a new, different function or purpose than originally intended.
Wir haben die alte Garage kurzerhand zu einem Partyraum umfunktioniert.
We quickly repurposed the old garage into a party room.
'Umfunktionieren' (to repurpose) is a separable verb. The prefix 'um' comes at the end in a main clause; in a subordinate clause, the verb stays together; and in the infinitive, 'zu' comes between 'um' and 'funktionieren'.
Sie funktionierte das alte Fass zu einem Tisch um.
She repurposed the old barrel into a table.
The verb is made up of the prefix 'um-' and the verb 'funktionieren' (to function). The prefix 'um-' expresses a change or reorientation here—something gets a new function.
Wir können die leere Flasche als Blumenvase umfunktionieren.
We can repurpose the empty bottle as a flower vase.
The new function is introduced with the preposition 'zu' and the dative. The pattern is: etwas (accusative) zu etwas (dative) umfunktionieren.
Der Künstler funktionierte Schrott zu einer beeindruckenden Skulptur um.
The artist repurposed scrap metal into an impressive sculpture.
to convert / transform
'umwandeln' and 'umfunktionieren' both mean that something is used differently or is different afterward. 'umwandeln' is more general: something gets a different form or state, or becomes something else. This can happen with energy, substances, data, or even a process. 'umfunktionieren' is used when an object, room, or thing gets a new purpose. Its form does not necessarily have to change much. Learners may confuse the words because in both cases something becomes different. Memory tip: 'umwandeln' changes the form or state, while 'umfunktionieren' mainly changes the function.
Am Morgen haben wir das Gästezimmer in ein kleines Büro umfunktioniert.
In the morning, we repurposed the guest room into a small office.
Die Anlage wandelt Sonnenlicht in Strom um.
The system converts sunlight into electricity.