überrollen
to run over
To drive over someone or something with a vehicle.
EXAMPLE
Der Lastwagen hat das umgefallene Verkehrsschild überrollt.
The truck ran over the fallen traffic sign.
überrollen
to run over / overwhelm
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Meanings
überrollen
to overwhelm
To overpower someone or something with great speed and force. Often used in military or sports contexts.
EXAMPLE
Die Gastmannschaft wurde in den ersten Minuten des Spiels förmlich überrollt.
The visiting team was practically overwhelmed in the first minutes of the game.
überrollen
to overwhelm
To unexpectedly and intensely confront and overburden a person or group of people with events, emotions, or information.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Sieg überrollte eine Welle der Euphorie das ganze Land.
After the victory, a wave of euphoria overwhelmed the whole country.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Überrollen' (to run over / overwhelm) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'über-' always stays at the beginning of the verb, including in main clauses and in the past participle.
EXAMPLE
Eine riesige Welle überrollte den Strand.
A huge wave rolled over the beach.
Context clue
The context makes the meaning clear: If it is about a vehicle, the literal meaning is intended. In sports or military contexts, it is about overpowering someone. If feelings or events are the subject, it means emotional overwhelm.
EXAMPLE
Pass auf, dass der Gabelstapler dich nicht überrollt!
Watch out that the forklift doesn't run you over!
Typical collocations
In the figurative sense of 'überwältigen' (to overwhelm), 'überrollen' (to overwhelm) is often used in sports or military contexts. Typical objects are 'den Gegner' (the opponent), 'die feindlichen Linien' (the enemy lines), or 'die andere Mannschaft' (the other team).
EXAMPLE
Die schnelle Offensive überrollte die Verteidigung des Gegners.
The fast offensive overwhelmed the opponent's defense.
Sentence structure with emotions
When it is about feelings or events, the subject is often something abstract like 'eine Welle' (a wave), 'die Ereignisse' (the events), or 'eine Nachricht' (a piece of news). The person who feels something is then the accusative object.
EXAMPLE
Die Ereignisse der letzten Woche haben mich einfach überrollt.
The events of the last week simply overwhelmed me.
Compare with
überrollen vs überfordern
to overwhelm
Überfordern describes a situation in which someone cannot adequately cope with events or information. Überrollen additionally emphasizes that they hit the person unexpectedly and with great force. Use überfordern when the person lacks the capacity, and überrollen when the person is hit by a sudden, intense wave.
überrollen
Die plötzliche Ankündigung der neuen Regeln überrollt das Team völlig.
The sudden announcement of the new rules completely overwhelms the team.
überfordern
Die vielen neuen Regeln überfordern das Team, weil es sie nicht rechtzeitig umsetzen kann.
The many new rules overwhelm the team because it cannot implement them in time.
In real life
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