aktualisieren

Aktualisieren is a German verb meaning to bring something up to date, to refresh, or to update. It is used for information, data, software, content, and processes, with the aim of reflecting new facts, versions, or conditions so that the item remains current.

Etymology and formation: The word combines aktuell (current, up to date) with the suffix -isieren, forming a verb that denotes making something current. It is a regular verb and is not a separable-prefix verb. Conjugation in the present tense: ich aktualisiere, du aktualisierst, er aktualisiert; wir aktualisieren, ihr aktualisiert, sie aktualisieren. The past participle is aktualisiert; the noun form is die Aktualisierung (the act of updating).

Usage: In software and digital contexts, aktualisieren commonly refers to installing newer versions, patches, or data. In journalism or online publishing, it can mean refreshing information on a page. In everyday language, one might say ich muss meine Daten aktualisieren or bitte halte deine Informationen auf dem neuesten Stand. The term updaten is a common colloquial borrowing from English, especially in IT contexts, but aktualisieren remains the standard German form.

Translations and related terms: In English, aktualisieren translates as update or refresh. Related German terms include Aktualisierung (noun), aktuell (current), and Aktualisierungsdatum (date of last update). Distinctions exist from synonyms such as erneuern (to renew) or verbessern (to improve).

Examples:

- Die Software wird regelmäßig aktualisiert.

- Wir müssen die Liste der Mitglieder aktualisieren.

- Bitte aktualisieren Sie Ihre Kontaktdaten.