01
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
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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 fallen
to fall
'fallen' and 'überleben' are opposites in certain dangerous situations. In this context, 'fallen' means that someone is killed in a battle or war. 'überleben' means that someone comes through a danger, an accident, an illness, or a war alive. 'fallen' is mainly used with war and combat and sounds rather serious or historical. 'überleben' is more general and can be used in many dangerous situations.
überleben
Nach dem schweren Unfall hat der Fahrer überlebt.
After the serious accident, the driver survived.
fallen
Viele Soldaten fielen in der letzten Schlacht.
Many soldiers fell in the final battle.
In real life
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