wandeln
Translation
to stroll, to walk, to change, to transform
Examples
Sie wandelte durch den schönen Garten.
She strolled through the beautiful garden.
Die Raupe wandelt sich in einen Schmetterling.
The caterpillar transforms into a butterfly.
Grammar Patterns
to stroll ((through sth.)) She strolled through the park.
to transform oneself ((into sth.)) The caterpillar transforms into a butterfly.
Similar Words
Synonyms: spazieren (to stroll), sich verändern (to change); Antonyms: bleiben (to stay), stagnieren (to stagnate)
Etymology
From Old High German 'wantalōn', related to 'wenden' (to turn). It suggests a turning or changing motion, which leads to both 'to walk' and 'to change'.
Memory Tips
It's a cognate of the English 'wander'. Picture how wandering through a place also involves change.