to flood
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to flood
Water covers an area that is normally dry, usually as a result of heavy rain, high water levels, or a storm surge.
Nach dem Dammbruch überflutete das Wasser das gesamte Tal.
After the dam burst, the water flooded the entire valley.
to flood with
To overwhelm someone or something with a very large amount of something, for example with information, requests, or products.
Nach der Werbekampagne wurde der Kundenservice mit Anfragen überflutet.
After the advertising campaign, customer service was flooded with inquiries.
'Überfluten' (to flood) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'über-' remains firmly attached to the verb in all sentence forms. Trying to separate it is a common mistake.
Der Fluss überflutete die Felder.
The river flooded the fields.
In the figurative meaning, 'überfluten' (to flood) is always used with the preposition 'mit' (with). The structure is: 'jemanden/etwas mit etwas überfluten' (to flood someone/something with something).
Die Firma überflutete den Markt mit billigen Produkten.
The company flooded the market with cheap products.
The meaning is easy to distinguish: if the sentence talks about water, a river, or rain, the literal meaning is intended. The preposition 'mit' (with), on the other hand, almost always points to the figurative meaning.
Starker Regen hat die Straßen überflutet.
Heavy rain flooded the streets.
to run over / overwhelm
Both verbs can express that a person experiences or receives a great deal all at once. Überfluten mainly emphasizes the large quantity and its continual flow, while überrollen highlights the forceful, unexpected onslaught and the feeling of being overwhelmed. Überfluten is more suitable when many things are coming in, while überrollen is more suitable for a sudden shock.
Seit dem Start der Aktion überfluten Hunderte Anfragen täglich den Kundenservice.
Since the campaign launched, hundreds of inquiries have flooded the customer service department every day.
Die unerwartete Nachricht überrollte den Kunden, sodass er zunächst kein Wort fand.
The unexpected news overwhelmed the customer, leaving him speechless at first.
