die  Kehrtwende

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈkeːɐ̯ˌvɛndə/

🔄 What exactly does "die Kehrtwende" mean?

The noun die Kehrtwende (feminine) describes a complete change of direction, opinion, policy, or course of action. It often implies an abrupt or surprising 180-degree turn.

• Literal meaning: A physical U-turn, like a car turning around (although the verbs "wenden" or "umkehren" are more common for this).
• Figurative meaning (more common): A radical change in attitude, strategy, or policy. This is the most frequent usage, especially in politics, business, and personal behaviour. One might speak of a politische Kehrtwende (political U-turn), a strategische Kehrtwende (strategic turnaround) of a company, etc.

⚠️ It often implies a previous firm position or direction that is now being completely abandoned.

Article rules for der, die, and das

The Grammar behind "die Kehrtwende" 🧐

"Kehrtwende" is a feminine noun. The article is die.

Example Sentences:

1. Die Regierung vollzog eine überraschende Kehrtwende in ihrer Steuerpolitik.
   (The government made a surprising U-turn in its tax policy.)
2. Nach langem Zögern machte er eine persönliche Kehrtwende und änderte seinen Lebensstil.
   (After long hesitation, he made a personal turnaround and changed his lifestyle.)
3. Die Kehrtwende des Unternehmens weg von fossilen Brennstoffen wurde von Umweltschützern begrüßt.
   (The company's turnaround away from fossil fuels was welcomed by environmentalists.)

When to use "die Kehrtwende"? 🤔

The term die Kehrtwende is primarily used figuratively to describe a significant and often unexpected change.

• Politics & Society: Very common for describing policy changes, shifts in opinion by parties or public figures. Example: Die Partei machte eine Kehrtwende in der Einwanderungsfrage. (The party made a U-turn on the immigration issue.)
• Business & Finance: Describes strategic realignments of companies, changes in financial policy, or trend reversals in the stock market. Example: Nach Jahren der Verluste gelang dem Unternehmen die wirtschaftliche Kehrtwende. (After years of losses, the company achieved an economic turnaround.)
• Personal Life: Can also be used for fundamental changes in personal behaviour or decisions. Example: Seine Entscheidung, Veganer zu werden, war eine echte Kehrtwende. (His decision to become vegan was a real turnaround / U-turn.)

Distinction from similar words:

• die Wende: More general for a change or turning point (e.g., die politische Wende 1989/90 - the political change). "Kehrtwende" is more specific, emphasizing the complete reversal.
• der Kurswechsel: Similar to Kehrtwende, often in political or economic contexts, perhaps slightly less abrupt than Kehrtwende.
• der Umschwung: Often refers to a change in mood or circumstances.

"Kehrtwende" often carries a slightly dramatic connotation, as it implies a departure from a previous course.

Memory Aids for "die Kehrtwende" 🧠

Article Mnemonic (die): Think of die Wende (the change/turning point). Many German nouns ending in "-wende" are feminine (die Sonnenwende - solstice, die Zeitenwende - turn of an era). "Kehrtwende" fits this pattern. Imagine a woman (die Frau) who suddenly turns back (kehrt um) - die Frau makes die Kehrtwende.

Meaning Mnemonic: Break down the word: Kehrt comes from "kehren" (to turn around, not 'to sweep') and Wende means a turn or change. Together, it's a "turn-around-change" – a complete change of direction. Imagine marching straight ahead and suddenly hearing the command "Kehrt!" (About face!), a military command to turn around 180 degrees – that's the essence of die Kehrtwende.

Similar and Opposite Terms ↔️

🚨 Caution: While Wende generally denotes a change, Kehrtwende specifically emphasizes the complete reversal from an opposite direction.

A Little Joke 😄

Warum hat der Politiker eine Kehrtwende beim Thema Diäten gemacht?
Er hat gemerkt, dass er sonst nicht mehr durch die Tür vom Plenarsaal passt!

(Why did the politician make a U-turn on the subject of parliamentary allowances/diets?
He realized otherwise he wouldn't fit through the door of the plenary hall anymore!)

A Poem for the Turnaround 📜

Erst ging es stur geradeaus,
doch Zweifel kamen auf im Haus.
Die alte Richtung, alt und schwer,
ein neuer Plan musste nun her.

Mit Mut und einem Ruck,
man änderte das Stück für Stück?
Nein, ganz und gar, man sah es schnell,
die Kehrtwende kam, an dieser Stell'.

(First, the course was stubbornly straight,
but doubts arose within the gate.
The old direction, old and sore,
a brand new plan was called for.)

(With courage and a jolt,
was it changed bit by bit, bold?
No, totally, as quick could be,
the U-turn came, for all to see.)

Who or what am I? A Riddle 🤔

Ich bin kein Auto, doch ich drehe um.
Ich änd're Meinungen, mal schlau, mal dumm.
In Politik und Wirtschaft oft zu seh'n,
wenn alte Pläne plötzlich nicht mehr geh'n.

Was bin ich?

(I'm not a car, yet I turn around.
I change opinions, sometimes smart, sometimes unsound.
In politics and business, often found,
when old plans suddenly fall to the ground.

What am I?)

Solution: die Kehrtwende (the U-turn / turnaround)

Further Interesting Details 💡

Word Composition:

The word "Kehrtwende" is a compound noun, composed of:

• kehrt: Singular imperative form of "kehren" (in the sense of "to turn around", not "to sweep"). The command "Kehrt!" means "About face!".
• Wende: Means a turn, change, or turning point.

So, literally, it means a "turn-around-turn" or "turn-around-change".

Cultural Significance: The term is often used to describe moments where previous beliefs or strategies are publicly revised. This can be viewed positively (insight, adaptability) or negatively (indecisiveness, opportunism).