umtauschen
to exchange / return
To bring a purchased item back to a store and receive another item or the money back in return.
EXAMPLE
Ich möchte diese Hose umtauschen, sie passt mir nicht.
I would like to exchange these pants; they don't fit me.
umtauschen
to exchange
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Meanings
umtauschen
to exchange
To change one currency into another, for example euros into dollars.
EXAMPLE
Vor der Reise in die USA müssen wir noch Euro in Dollar umtauschen.
Before the trip to the USA, we still need to exchange euros for dollars.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Umtauschen' (to exchange) is a separable verb. The prefix 'um-' goes at the end of the main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Ich tausche die Jacke um, weil sie zu klein ist.
I am exchanging the jacket because it is too small.
Context clue
How can you recognize the meaning? If it is about money (euros, dollars), it means currency exchange. If it is about products (pants, gift), it means returning goods.
EXAMPLE
Können Sie mir sagen, wo ich hier Geld umtauschen kann?
Can you tell me where I can exchange money here?
Use with 'gegen'
When you return an item and get something else in exchange, the preposition 'gegen' (for/in exchange for) is often used.
EXAMPLE
Sie können den Pullover gegen eine andere Größe umtauschen.
You can exchange the sweater for another size.
Use with 'in'
When exchanging currencies, the target currency is connected with the preposition 'in' (with the accusative).
EXAMPLE
Am Flughafen kann man Schweizer Franken in Euro umtauschen.
At the airport, you can exchange Swiss francs for euros.
Compare with
umtauschen vs wechseln
to change / switch
Both words can express replacing a purchased item with another one. Wechseln is more general and simply describes the replacement; umtauschen emphasizes that you return the purchased item and receive another item or money in return. When returning something to a store, umtauschen is more precise.
umtauschen
Im Laden tauschte ich die zu kleine Jacke gegen eine größere um.
At the store, I exchanged the jacket that was too small for a larger one.
wechseln
Im Laden wechselte ich die zu kleine Jacke gegen eine größere.
At the store, I changed the jacket that was too small for a larger one.
In real life
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