Verwandlung

Verwandlung is a German noun meaning transformation, metamorphosis, or conversion. Etymology derives from ver- (a prefix indicating change) and Wandel (change or turning). The term is used across disciplines to denote a change in form, appearance, state, or identity, and it often carries a sense of becoming something different.

In biology, Verwandlung commonly refers to metamorphosis, the drastic change in form that some organisms undergo during development. Examples include insect metamorphosis (holometabolism and hemimetabolism) and the metamorphosis seen in amphibians. The concept contrasts with mere growth, emphasizing qualitative change.

In literature and culture, Verwandlung is frequently used to describe dramatic shifts in characters, situations, or themes. A prominent example is Franz Kafka’s novella Die Verwandlung (The Metamorphosis), in which the protagonist Gregor Samsa awakens transformed into an insect, a narrative exploration of alienation and family dynamics. The term also appears in discussions of mythological and religious metamorphoses, such as Ovid’s Metamorphoses, which has influenced many later interpretations.

In science and mathematics, Verwandlung can denote a general change of form or state, including coordinate transformations, variable substitutions, or other formal changes of representation. The word underscores the idea of a process rather than a mere outcome.

See also: metamorphosis, transformation, Wandel

Note: The term is widely used in German-language contexts and often appears in titles, theories, and descriptions that involve change or becoming something else.