verb
to run over, to drive across
B1
überfahren: two main meanings: 'to run over' (hit with a vehicle, often injure/kill) and 'to drive across' (cross over a line/area by vehicle). Strong, irregular verb: present vowel change a→ä (du überfährst, er überfährt), Präteritum überfuhr. Uses haben as auxiliary; non-reflexive, non-separable.
Examples
Das Auto hat die Linie überfahren.
The car crossed the line.
Er überfuhr ein Tier.
He ran over an animal.
Wir überfuhren die Grenze ohne anzuhalten.
We drove across the border without stopping.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture a car (fahren) going over (über) something — that image links to 'run over' or 'drive across'.
Think "über" + "fahren" → over/drive; sounds like "over-drive" meaning to drive over something.
Notes
überfahren is an irregular (strong) verb. It is typically inseparable in the sense of running someone/something over. Context determines whether it means 'to run over' (usually accidental/harmful) or 'to drive across' (neutral). Uses haben as auxiliary in perfect tenses.