Transformieren

Transformieren is a German verb meaning to transform, convert, or alter the form, appearance, or structure of something. It is used in a wide range of contexts, from mathematics and computer science to everyday language. The word derives from Latin transformare and has entered German through historical borrowing; the related noun is Transformation.

In mathematics and the sciences, transformieren describes applying a transformation—an operation that maps objects to new forms according to a rule. Common examples include lineare Transformation, Koordinatentransformation, and Fourier-Transformation (as well as inverse Transformation). In data processing and software contexts, Daten transformieren refers to changing data formats, structures, or values, as in ETL workflows or data normalization.

In biology, transformation denotes the genetic uptake of external DNA by a cell, especially bacteria, enabling genetic change. In chemistry and physics, transformations describe changes of state or structure of substances or systems, often in a formal or theoretical sense.

Usage notes: transformieren is typical in technical and formal language and can imply a systematic procedure. Verwandeln emphasizes a change in character or essence, while umwandeln focuses on changing form or converting one type into another. In everyday German, you may encounter Wir müssen die Daten transformieren or Die Datei wurde transformiert to describe data or file format changes. Etymologically, the term is a loan from Latin transformare; synonyms include ändern, konvertieren, and umwandeln, each with slightly different nuances.