verb
to change
B1
Means to change or modify. Transitive: etwas verändern = to change something; reflexive: sich verändern = to undergo change. Uses auxiliary haben (Perfekt: hat verändert). Weak regular verb, but present shows vowel change to 'ä' (ich verändere). Can be used passively.
Examples
Ich verändere meine Frisur.
I'm changing my hairstyle.
Ich habe mich sehr verändert.
I have changed a lot.
Der Klimawandel veränderte das Wetter, sodass die Bauern ihre Anbaumethoden anpassen mussten.
Climate change altered the weather, so the farmers had to adapt their cultivation methods.
Details
Mnemonics
Imagine a vendor (ver-) swapping items to change them — 'verändern' = to change
ver-ÄN-dern — remember 'ändern' = to change; 'ver-' just modifies it
Notes
Can be used transitively (etwas verändern = to change something) or reflexively (sich verändern = to undergo change). When used reflexively it often means the subject changed itself or underwent a change.