renovieren

Using renovieren is quite straightforward since it is a regular verb. You simply conjugate it like any other -ieren verb. You can say ich renoviere for the present tense. If you finished the work, use habe renoviert. It usually takes a direct object, like die Küche or das Bad. You can also use it without an object. For example, just say "Wir renovieren gerade." This tells people why your hands are covered in white paint.

Use this when you are talking about home improvement projects. It is perfect for telling friends why you cannot come to their party. You might be busy painting your bedroom. It is also the standard word used in rental contracts. Many German leases require you to renovieren when you move out. This usually just means painting the walls white again. Use it at the hardware store when asking for advice. It works for both professional contractors and DIY weekend warriors.

Do not use renovieren if you are fixing something broken. If your toaster is dead, you reparieren it. If you are tearing down walls or replacing the entire roof, use sanieren. Sanieren is for structural or technical repairs, like fixing mold or old pipes. Also, do not use it for personal grooming. You do not renovieren your hair; you just get a haircut. Keep it strictly for buildings and rooms to avoid sounding like a construction site.

Germans have a deep love for Baumärkte (hardware stores). Places like Obi or Hornbach are like playgrounds for adults on Saturdays. There is a strong DIY culture here. Many people prefer to renovieren themselves rather than hiring a professional. It is a way to save money and show off your skills. In Germany, it is very common to move into an apartment with bare concrete walls. This means you must renovieren before you even unpack your first box.

If you want to sound more specific, try tapezieren for putting up wallpaper. If you are just making things look pretty, use verschönern. For a massive, deep renovation, use kernsanieren. This means you are stripping the place down to the bones. If you are just doing small touch-ups, you can call them Schönheitsreparaturen. This literally translates to "beauty repairs." It is a very common term in legal rental agreements across Germany.