to falsify / adulterate
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to falsify
To change something so that it no longer corresponds to the truth, the original, or reality. This often happens with the intention to deceive.
Er wurde beschuldigt, die wissenschaftlichen Studienergebnisse verfälscht zu haben.
He was accused of having falsified the scientific study results.
to adulterate
To add inferior or foreign substances to a food or drink in order to stretch it or manipulate its quality.
Der Händler hatte das teure Olivenöl mit billigerem Öl verfälscht.
The merchant had adulterated the expensive olive oil with cheaper oil.
The verb 'verfälschen' (to falsify/adulterate) is derived from the adjective 'falsch' (false/wrong). The prefix 'ver-' here expresses that something is deliberately made false.
Jede Änderung an dem Dokument könnte das Ergebnis verfälschen.
Any change to the document could falsify the result.
'Verfälschen' (to falsify/adulterate) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'ver-' remains firmly attached to the verb in all sentence forms and is not placed at the end of the sentence.
Er verfälschte die Unterschrift auf dem Vertrag.
He falsified the signature on the contract.
This word has a strongly negative meaning. It always implies a deliberate intention to deceive and is often used in connection with fraud, manipulation, or illegal actions.
Wer absichtlich die Wahrheit verfälscht, macht sich nicht beliebt.
Anyone who deliberately falsifies the truth does not make themselves popular.
In this meaning, 'verfälschen' (to falsify) is often combined with abstract things such as 'Ergebnisse' (results), 'Daten' (data), 'eine Statistik' (a statistic), 'die Wahrheit' (the truth), or 'ein Zitat' (a quote).
Die Umfrageergebnisse wurden offenbar verfälscht, um die öffentliche Meinung zu beeinflussen.
The survey results were apparently falsified in order to influence public opinion.
When the topic is products, 'verfälschen' (to adulterate) is often used with 'Lebensmittel' (food), 'Wein' (wine), 'Honig' (honey), 'Öl' (oil), or also 'Medikamente' (medications).
Es ist illegal, teuren Safran mit anderen Substanzen zu verfälschen.
It is illegal to adulterate expensive saffron with other substances.
to manipulate
When referring to data and information, both words can express deliberate alteration. „Verfälschen“ always says that the result no longer corresponds to the truth or reality as a result. „Manipulieren“ can also mean intervening without making the data false.
Der Mitarbeiter verfälschte die Daten, damit das Ergebnis besser aussah.
The employee falsified the data so that the result looked better.
Die Forscher manipulierten die Daten, um verschiedene Berechnungen zu testen.
The researchers manipulated the data to test different calculations.
