überlaufen
overcrowded
Visited by or filled with very many people, often more than is pleasant.
EXAMPLE
Der Strand war am Wochenende völlig überlaufen.
The beach was completely overcrowded on the weekend.
überlaufen
to overflow / to defect / overcrowded
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Meanings
überlaufen
to overflow
To be so full that a liquid flows over the edge.
EXAMPLE
Die Badewanne ist übergelaufen, weil niemand den Hahn zugedreht hat.
The bathtub overflowed because no one turned off the tap.
überlaufen zu
to defect to
To leave one's own side, such as an army or party, and join the opponent.
EXAMPLE
Der Spion ist vor Jahren zum Feind übergelaufen.
The spy defected to the enemy years ago.
Usage tips
Separable vs. inseparable
The grammar of 'überlaufen' depends on the meaning. When a liquid overflows or a person changes sides, the verb is separable (läuft über, ist übergelaufen). In the meaning 'überfüllt' (overcrowded), the inseparable past participle form 'überlaufen' is used like an adjective.
EXAMPLE
Pass auf, die Milch kocht gleich über!
Watch out, the milk is about to boil over!
Context clues
You can recognize the meaning from the subject. If the subject is a place (city, square), it is overcrowded. If it is a liquid (milk, water), it overflows. If it is a person (soldier, spy), they change sides.
EXAMPLE
Die Altstadt ist an Samstagen oft überlaufen.
The old town is often overcrowded on Saturdays.
Use as an adjective
In the meaning 'überfüllt' (overcrowded), the past participle form 'überlaufen' is almost always used, either as an adjective before a noun or with the verb 'sein' (to be).
EXAMPLE
Wir suchen uns ein Café, das nicht so überlaufen ist.
Let's find a café that isn't so overcrowded.
Fixed preposition
When a person changes sides, the preposition 'zu' with the dative is always used to indicate the destination.
EXAMPLE
Der Politiker ist zu einer anderen Partei übergelaufen.
The politician defected to another party.
Compare with
überlaufen vs überfüllt
overcrowded
überfüllt and überlaufen can both describe an unpleasantly crowded place. überfüllt emphasizes that there is hardly any space left. überlaufen, on the other hand, highlights the very large number of visitors, without necessarily referring to specific physical crampedness.
überlaufen
Der beliebte Stadtstrand ist im Sommer oft überlaufen, weil täglich sehr viele Gäste kommen.
The popular city beach is often overrun in summer because very many visitors come every day.
überfüllt
Der kleine Stadtstrand ist heute überfüllt, sodass kaum noch Platz für ein Handtuch bleibt.
The small city beach is overcrowded today, leaving hardly any room for a towel.
In real life
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