to cover / to be strewn with
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to cover
To cover a surface with something so densely that it looks as if it had been scattered over it. It is often used figuratively.
Nach dem Fest war der ganze Park mit Müll übersät.
After the festival, the entire park was covered with trash.
to be riddled with
In a figurative sense, when something is full of errors or other negative things.
Sein Aufsatz war mit Rechtschreibfehlern übersät.
His essay was riddled with spelling mistakes.
'Übersäen' (to cover/to strew over) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'über-' remains firmly attached to the verb in all sentence forms and is not placed at the end of the sentence.
Der Künstler übersät die Leinwand mit bunten Farbtupfern.
The artist covers the canvas with colorful dots of paint.
The word is made up of 'über' (over) and 'säen' (to sow). The literal idea is to scatter something over a surface, just as one sows seeds in a field.
Ein Meteoritenschauer hatte den Wüstenboden mit kleinen Kratern übersät.
A meteor shower had covered the desert floor with small craters.
This verb is almost always used in the passive or as an adjectival participle. The typical structure is: 'Etwas ist mit etwas übersät' (something is covered/strewn with something).
Der Nachthimmel war mit funkelnden Sternen übersät.
The night sky was strewn with sparkling stars.
In the general meaning of covering, 'übersät' (covered/strewn) is often combined with visual things: to be covered with stars, with flowers, with jewels, or also with wounds.
Die Wiese war mit Gänseblümchen übersät.
The meadow was covered with daisies.
In the figurative sense, the word is often used with negative things. Typical combinations are: to be riddled with errors, with contradictions, or with scars.
Sein erster Entwurf war mit Korrekturen übersät.
His first draft was covered with corrections.
to pave
Both verbs can figuratively describe covering a surface or path with many things. „Übersäen“ tends to emphasize numerous scattered elements, while „pflastern“ suggests especially dense coverage and is often associated with the image of a path. Choose „pflastern“ for a path that is completely covered.
Der Wanderweg war mit kleinen Steinen übersät.
The hiking trail was strewn with small stones.
Viele Hindernisse pflastern den Weg zu seinem Ziel.
Many obstacles pave his way to his goal.
