über
above / over
Indicates a position above something, without direct contact.
EXAMPLE
Die Lampe hängt über dem Tisch.
The lamp is hanging above the table.
über
over / about
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Meanings
über
over / across
Describes movement from one side to the other; across.
EXAMPLE
Wir fahren über die Brücke.
We're driving over the bridge.
über
about
Indicates the topic of a conversation, book, or thought.
EXAMPLE
Wir haben lange über deine Idee gesprochen.
We talked about your idea for a long time.
über
over / more than
Indicates that an amount or value is exceeded; more than.
EXAMPLE
Das Konzert hatte über tausend Besucher.
The concert had over a thousand visitors.
über
over
Refers to a period of time that is filled by an action.
EXAMPLE
Über das Wochenende verreisen wir.
We're going away over the weekend.
über
via / through
Indicates a medium or channel through which something happens; via.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe die Nachricht über das Internet erhalten.
I received the message via the internet.
Usage tips
Two-way preposition
'Über' is a two-way preposition. With a location (question: where?), the dative is used. With a direction (question: where to?), the accusative is used.
EXAMPLE
Das Bild hängt über dem Sofa.
The picture is hanging above the sofa.
Case in figurative meanings
In most non-spatial, that is figurative, meanings, 'über' is used with the accusative. This applies when it indicates a topic, an amount, or a period of time.
EXAMPLE
Wir reden über den neuen Film.
We're talking about the new film.
Indicating a topic
To indicate the topic of a conversation, text, or thought, 'über' is often combined with verbs of speaking, thinking, or feeling. Examples are: sprechen über (to talk about), lachen über (to laugh about/at), sich ärgern über (to be annoyed about), nachdenken über (to think about).
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder lachen über den Witz.
The children are laughing at the joke.
Amounts and numbers
When 'über' means 'mehr als' (more than), it stands directly before a number or an amount. It is frequently used in news and reports.
EXAMPLE
Er wartete über eine Stunde auf den Bus.
He waited over an hour for the bus.
Period of time
To describe a period of time during which something happens, 'über' is used with the accusative. In everyday usage, 'über das' is often contracted to 'übers'.
EXAMPLE
Übers Wochenende habe ich meine Großeltern besucht.
Over the weekend, I visited my grandparents.
Medium or channel
When 'über' has the meaning 'via', it describes the path or medium through which information or an action is transmitted.
EXAMPLE
Man kann die Rechnung bequem über das Smartphone bezahlen.
You can conveniently pay the bill via smartphone.
Compare with
über vs zu
to / too / closed
With books or information, „zu“ and „über“ can refer to the same topic. „Zu“ associates the work more generally with a subject area, while „über“ more clearly names the topic as the content being discussed. Both are often possible, but the perspective is slightly different.
über
Wir suchen ein Buch über gesunde Ernährung.
We’re looking for a book about healthy eating.
zu
Wir suchen ein Buch zu gesunder Ernährung.
We’re looking for a book on healthy eating.
In real life
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