to repurpose
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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 redirect / divert
When something is given a new use, umleiten and umfunktionieren can be similar. Umleiten is especially suitable for money or other resources that are redirected to a different purpose. Umfunktionieren, on the other hand, refers to giving a thing, room, or object a new function.
Die Stadt will das alte Schulgebäude umfunktionieren, damit dort eine Bibliothek entstehen kann.
The city wants to repurpose the old school building so that a library can be created there.
Die Stadt will einen Teil des Budgets umleiten, damit die Schule dringend repariert werden kann.
The city wants to redirect part of the budget so that the school can be urgently repaired.
