Verb

um|stellen

Translation

to rearrange, to switch over, to adjust, to surround

Wir stellen die Möbel im Wohnzimmer um.

We are rearranging the furniture in the living room.

Ich muss meine Ernährung umstellen.

I have to change my diet.

Die Polizei umstellte das Gebäude.

The police surrounded the building.

((sth.)) to rearrange sth. We're rearranging the furniture.

((sth.)) ((auf+4)) to switch sth. to sth. He's switching his diet to healthy food.

((sth.)) to surround sth. The police surrounded the thief.

rearrange (neu anordnen), change (verändern); surround (umgeben)

Combines 'um-' (around, re-) and 'stellen' (to put, set). This leads to two main meanings: 'to re-set' (rearrange) and 'to set around' (surround).

Pay attention to stress and separability. Separable `um|stellen` (UM-stellen) is 'rearrange'. Inseparable `umstellen` (um-STELL-en) is 'surround'.