verb
change
A2
Ändern means 'to change' (usually 'to alter something'). It’s a regular weak verb using haben. Orthographic vowel marking: e → ä in 2nd/3rd person singular (du änderst, er ändert). It’s transitive/non‑reflexive (Ändere die Einstellung). Not separable; used with a direct object.
Examples
Ich ändere meine Meinung.
I'm changing my mind.
Kannst du die Datei bitte ändern?
Can you please change the file?
Ich habe meine Meinung geändert.
I have changed my mind.
Details
Mnemonics
imagine changing a document and writing 'ändern' in the margin
sounds like 'aender' → 'ender' but think 'to end or change'
Notes
Regular weak verb. In German 2nd/3rd person singular shows an umlaut in the written form (du änderst, er ändert) but it is treated as a regular weak verb with past participle 'geändert'.