to cover / overlap
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to cover
To cover something completely so that it is no longer visible, audible, or noticeable. This can refer to objects, but also to sounds, smells, or feelings.
Sie versuchte, ihre Unsicherheit mit einem lauten Lachen zu überdecken.
She tried to cover her insecurity with loud laughter.
to overlap
To overlap partly or completely; to have an area in common.
Die Zuständigkeiten der beiden Abteilungen überdecken sich in diesem Punkt.
The responsibilities of the two departments overlap on this point.
The verb 'überdecken' (to cover / overlap) is inseparable. The prefix 'über-' remains firmly attached to the verb in all sentence forms and tenses and is not placed at the end of the sentence.
Der Schnee überdeckt die gesamte Landschaft.
The snow covers the entire landscape.
When you want to express what something is covered with, you use the preposition 'mit' (with) followed by the dative. The structure is therefore: someone/something überdeckt something (accusative) mit something (dative).
Man kann den Fleck mit einem Teppich überdecken.
You can cover the stain with a rug.
In the meaning 'sich überlappen' (to overlap), the verb is always used reflexively with 'sich' (oneself / each other). The context here is often formal and refers to topics, tasks, or periods of time.
Meine Termine für heute Nachmittag überdecken sich leider.
My appointments for this afternoon unfortunately overlap.
to cover
Bedecken and überdecken can both describe a layer covering an object. Bedecken generally describes something lying or being spread over a surface, whereas überdecken places greater emphasis on making something completely unrecognizable. Use überdecken when nothing is visible, audible, or perceptible anymore.
Eine dicke Schneeschicht überdeckt den Weg vollständig.
A thick layer of snow completely covers the path.
Die Blätter bedecken den Boden im Garten nur teilweise.
The leaves only partially cover the ground in the garden.
