überragen
to tower over
To be physically bigger or taller than something else in the surrounding area.
EXAMPLE
Der neue Wolkenkratzer überragt alle anderen Gebäude der Stadt.
The new skyscraper towers over all the other buildings in the city.
überragen
to tower over / surpass
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
überragen
to surpass
To be clearly better or more outstanding than others in an ability, achievement, or quality.
EXAMPLE
Mit seiner Intelligenz überragte er alle seine Mitschüler.
With his intelligence, he surpassed all his classmates.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Überragen' (to tower over/surpass) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'über-' is not separated from the verb stem and is unstressed. The stress is on the second syllable: über-RA-gen.
EXAMPLE
Er überragt seine Kollegen nicht nur an Größe, sondern auch an Erfahrung.
He surpasses his colleagues not only in height, but also in experience.
Word structure
The word is made up of 'über' (over) and 'ragen' (to protrude, to rise up). The meaning is therefore quite literal: to extend beyond something else, whether physically or figuratively.
EXAMPLE
Der Leuchtturm überragt die Küstenlandschaft.
The lighthouse towers over the coastal landscape.
Context clue
You can tell whether the physical or figurative meaning is meant from the object. If it refers to buildings or body height, it is literal. If it refers to abilities or qualities, it is figurative.
EXAMPLE
Der Kirchturm überragt das ganze Dorf.
The church tower towers over the whole village.
Compare with
überragen vs übertreffen
to surpass
Both words describe someone being better than others in comparison. Übertreffen focuses on a direct comparison with a person or performance, whereas überragen emphasizes a clearly outstanding position within a group. Übertreffen is suitable for a comparison with one person, while überragen is used for a particularly strong position.
überragen
Lena überragt im Team bei dieser Aufgabe alle anderen.
Lena surpasses everyone else on the team at this task.
übertreffen
Lena übertrifft ihre Kollegin bei dieser Aufgabe.
Lena outperforms her colleague on this task.
In real life
Loading video examples...