A new haircut, a career shift, a revolution—big or small, when something transforms in German, it’s called a Veränderung. It’s the word for change that leaves a mark, and one that Germans use in personal, social, and political conversations every day.

The noun Veränderung means change, alteration, or transformation. It’s one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German, and a must-know for anyone talking about progress, growth, or upheaval.

It’s a feminine noun, so we say die Veränderung.

Pronunciation

Veränderung is pronounced [fehr-EN-deh-roong].

• The “Ver” sounds like “fair,”
• “änder” has a clear short “e” like in “bed,” and
• The “-ung” ending is soft and nasal—very common in abstract feminine nouns.

It’s a formal-sounding word, but you’ll hear it often in daily life.

Example sentences:

• Nach dem Umzug spürte er eine große Veränderung.
  After the move, he felt a big change.
• Veränderung ist manchmal notwendig, auch wenn sie weh tut.
  Change is sometimes necessary, even when it hurts.

Nuance and usage tips

Veränderung typically refers to a specific, noticeable change, as opposed to Änderung, which can refer to more minor adjustments.

Compare:

• eine kleine Änderung – a slight modification
• eine tiefgreifende Veränderung – a profound transformation

Common phrases include:

• eine Veränderung durchmachen – to go through a change
• Veränderungen im Leben – changes in life
• offen für Veränderungen sein – to be open to change

It can describe personal growth, organizational shifts, political developments, or social change.

Its clearest antonym is Stillstand (masculine, der Stillstand) – meaning standstill or stagnation.

Grammatical case examples:

• Nominative: Die Veränderung war spürbar in der ganzen Stadt.
  The change was noticeable throughout the city.
• Accusative: Ich habe die Veränderung sofort bemerkt.
  I noticed the change immediately.
• Dative: Mit der Veränderung kam auch neue Hoffnung.
  With the change came new hope.
• Genitive: Wegen der Veränderung mussten wir neu planen.
  Because of the change, we had to plan again.

Feminine pattern: die, die, der, der

Word variations and language tidbits

Variation Station:

• verändern – to change (something or oneself)
  Er hat sich sehr verändert. – “He has changed a lot.”
• unverändert – unchanged
• Veränderungsprozess – change process
• Veränderung zum Guten – change for the better

You’ll also find Veränderung used in workplace, therapy, and spiritual language—it often signals a shift in identity, attitude, or purpose.

📘 Duden entry: https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Veraenderung

🎥 Learn Veränderung and the rest of the top 1000 German nouns in our free online video course:
https://deutschable.com/nouns/

How do you feel about two more German words of the day? Let's shoot for election (how do you say that in German?) and the word "Weise" (what could it mean?). Let's find out!