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.
'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
'übertragen' and 'überschreiben' can both have to do with passing something on or changing something, but they do not mean the same thing. 'übertragen' generally means that data, rights, tasks, or responsibility go from one place or person to another. 'überschreiben' is narrower: with ownership, it means that something is officially transferred to another person, for example a house. In technology, 'überschreiben' means that old data is replaced by new data. Learners can easily confuse the words because both occur with data and ownership. The important point is: 'übertragen' moves something onward, while 'überschreiben' replaces something or makes a legal change of ownership official.
Lea hat die alte Version der Datei aus Versehen überschrieben.
Lea accidentally overwrote the old version of the file.
Bitte übertragen Sie die Dateien noch heute auf den neuen Computer.
Please transfer the files to the new computer today.