particle
over-, across-
B1
über-: a German prefix meaning 'over' or 'across', often used to intensify or indicate excess (e.g. übertreiben). It attaches to verbs and nouns to form new words; it is not a standalone word. Note: meaning depends on the base word; use hyphen when listing the prefix.
Examples
Das Präfix über- kann bedeuten, dass etwas über etwas anderes geht, wie in überqueren oder überfahren.
The prefix über- can mean that something goes over something else, as in 'cross' or 'run over'.
Der Lehrer erklärte das Präfix 'über-', damit die Schüler die Zusammensetzungen besser verstünden.
The teacher explained the prefix 'über-' so that the students would better understand the compound words.
In Worten wie überregional drückt über- eine Bedeutung von ‚über etwas hinweg‘ aus.
In words like 'überregional', über- expresses the idea of 'beyond' or 'across' a region.
Details
Mnemonics
Imagine the prefix lifting something over a barrier — the "über-" lifts across.
Looks and sounds like English "over-" or "uber-" which implies going above/over.
Notes
A common German prefix with several senses (spatial 'over/across', excessive 'over-', or intensifying). It can be part of separable or inseparable verbs depending on the verb.