to revise / to overwork
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to revise
To review and specifically improve something existing, such as a text, draft, or plan.
Der Autor muss sein Manuskript vor der Veröffentlichung noch einmal gründlich überarbeiten.
The author still has to thoroughly revise his manuscript once more before publication.
to overwork oneself
To work too much or too intensely, so that you become physically or mentally exhausted or ill.
Wenn du dich ständig überarbeitest, riskierst du einen Burnout.
If you constantly overwork yourself, you risk burnout.
The verb 'überarbeiten' (to revise / to overwork oneself) is inseparable. The prefix 'über-' remains firmly attached to the verb in all tenses and sentence positions and is not placed at the end of the sentence.
Ich überarbeite gerade meinen Lebenslauf.
I'm currently revising my résumé.
You can recognize the meaning from the sentence structure. If an accusative object follows (wen/was überarbeiten? — whom/what to revise?), it means 'to improve'. If the verb is used reflexively with 'sich' (oneself), it means 'to work too much'.
Die Designerin überarbeitet das Logo der Firma.
The designer is revising the company's logo.
In the meaning 'verbessern' (to improve), 'überarbeiten' (to revise) is often combined with things that can be optimized. Typical phrases are: 'einen Text überarbeiten' (to revise a text), 'ein Konzept überarbeiten' (to revise a concept), 'einen Plan überarbeiten' (to revise a plan), or 'einen Entwurf überarbeiten' (to revise a draft).
Wir müssen das Sicherheitskonzept für die Veranstaltung überarbeiten.
We need to revise the safety concept for the event.
In the meaning 'zu viel arbeiten' (to work too much), the verb must always be used reflexively. The reflexive pronoun (mich, dich, sich, etc.) must be adjusted to match the subject.
Du solltest eine Pause machen, damit du dich nicht überarbeitest.
You should take a break so you don't overwork yourself.
to improve
An existing text can be both improved and revised. Verbessern emphasizes better quality or the correction of individual errors, while überarbeiten refers to the more comprehensive revision process. When a small correction is needed, „verbessern“ is more precise; when the text is thoroughly rechecked and reworked, „überarbeiten“ is appropriate.
Ich überarbeite den Bericht, indem ich mehrere Abschnitte prüfe und neu formuliere.
I revise the report by reviewing and rewording several sections.
Ich verbessere den Bericht, indem ich einige Rechtschreibfehler korrigiere.
I improve the report by correcting a few spelling mistakes.
