to transfer / overwrite
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to transfer
To officially and legally transfer ownership of something, usually real estate or a major asset, to another person.
Er hat seiner Tochter das Haus schon zu Lebzeiten überschrieben.
He transferred the house to his daughter during his lifetime.
to overwrite
To replace existing data, for example in a file or on a hard drive, with new data, so that the old data is lost.
Wenn du die Datei jetzt speicherst, überschreibst du die alte Version.
If you save the file now, you will overwrite the old version.
to title
To give a text a heading or title.
Der Aufsatz war mit „Gedanken zur Zukunft“ überschrieben.
The essay was titled 'Thoughts on the Future.'
to write over
To write again over an already existing text or mark, often in order to correct something or make it illegible.
Sie hat den falschen Namen durchgestrichen und den richtigen darüber überschrieben.
She crossed out the wrong name and wrote the correct one over it.
'Überschreiben' (to transfer / overwrite) is an inseparable verb in all the meanings listed here. The prefix 'über-' always remains firmly attached to the verb and is not placed at the end of the sentence.
Sie überschreibt die alte Datei mit der neuen Version.
She overwrites the old file with the new version.
The prefix 'über-' indicates the direction 'over' or 'across'. This basic idea appears in all meanings: ownership passes over to someone, new data is written over old data, or a heading stands over a text.
Kannst du bitte deinen Namen über die Linie schreiben?
Can you please write your name above the line?
When ownership is transferred, the person receiving something is always named in the dative. The typical structure is: someone (nominative) transfers something (accusative) to someone (dative).
Meine Großmutter hat mir ihr altes Auto überschrieben.
My grandmother transferred her old car to me.
This meaning is specific to the field of IT and computers. It is used whenever digital data is involved, e.g. a 'Datei' (file), a 'Festplatte' (hard drive), or a 'Variable' (variable).
Bist du sicher, dass du die Sicherungskopie überschreiben möchtest?
Are you sure you want to overwrite the backup copy?
When a heading or title is involved, the verb is often used in the passive. The typical formulation is then 'Der Text war mit ... überschrieben' (The text was titled ...).
Das Kapitel war mit den Worten „Ein Neuanfang“ überschrieben.
The chapter was titled with the words 'A New Beginning.'
to transmit / transfer
Both words can describe transferring ownership to another person. „Übertragen“ is the general term for this transfer, while „überschreiben“ emphasizes the official and legal transfer of ownership. Choose „überschreiben“ when the formal change of ownership is meant.
Die Eigentümerin überschrieb das Haus offiziell auf ihren Sohn.
The owner officially transferred the house into her son's name.
Die Eigentümerin übertrug das Haus auf ihren Sohn.
The owner transferred the house to her son.
