überleben
to survive
To come through a dangerous event such as an accident, an illness, or a war alive.
EXAMPLE
Er hat den schweren Autounfall wie durch ein Wunder überlebt.
He survived the serious car accident as if by a miracle.
überleben
to survive
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Meanings
überleben
to outlive
To live longer than another person; to still be alive after another person's death.
EXAMPLE
Die Witwe hat ihren Mann um zwanzig Jahre überlebt.
The widow outlived her husband by twenty years.
überleben
to survive
With regard to things, ideas, or traditions: to continue to exist, be preserved, and not disappear.
EXAMPLE
Dieser alte Brauch hat in dem kleinen Dorf bis heute überlebt.
This old custom has survived in the small village to this day.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Überleben' is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'über-' is never separated from the stem, not even in a main clause or in the past participle (hat überlebt).
EXAMPLE
Nur wenige Menschen überlebten die Katastrophe.
Only a few people survived the catastrophe.
Common mistake
The event that one survives is always a direct accusative object. Do not use a preposition like 'von'. It is 'den Unfall überleben' (to survive the accident), not 'vom Unfall überleben'.
EXAMPLE
Sie hat die schwere Operation überlebt.
She survived the serious operation.
Context clue
The subject or object shows the exact meaning. If a person survives an event (accident, illness), the first meaning is intended. If a person survives another person, the second is intended. If a thing (tradition, idea) survives, the third is intended.
EXAMPLE
Er hat den Herzinfarkt ohne bleibende Schäden überlebt.
He survived the heart attack without permanent damage.
Compare with
überleben vs leben
to live
After a danger, both leben and überleben can mean that someone is still alive. leben describes only the present state. überleben additionally emphasizes that the person came through a specific danger alive.
überleben
Der Fahrer hat den schweren Unfall überlebt.
The driver survived the serious accident.
leben
Nach dem schweren Unfall lebt der Fahrer noch.
The driver is still alive after the serious accident.
In real life
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