überschreiten
to exceed
To go beyond or fail to comply with a set limit, value, measure, or deadline.
EXAMPLE
Die Redezeit darf 10 Minuten nicht überschreiten.
The speaking time must not exceed 10 minutes.
überschreiten
to exceed / cross
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Meanings
überschreiten
to cross
To cross a physical line, border, or marking and move to the other side.
EXAMPLE
Flüchtlinge versuchten, nachts die Grenze zu überschreiten.
Refugees tried to cross the border at night.
überschreiten
to overstep
To go beyond what is allowed or appropriate and thereby violate a rule or norm. Often refers to authority or good manners.
EXAMPLE
Mit dieser persönlichen Frage haben Sie eine Grenze überschritten.
With that personal question, you overstepped a boundary.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Überschreiten' (to exceed / cross) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'über-' remains firmly attached to the verb stem 'schreiten' in all sentence forms.
EXAMPLE
Er überschreitet oft seine Kompetenzen.
He often exceeds his authority.
Word structure
The word is made up of 'über' (over) and 'schreiten' (to stride, solemnly). The literal meaning, 'to stride over something,' helps you understand the figurative meanings too, such as crossing boundaries or exceeding limits.
EXAMPLE
Als er die Ziellinie überschritt, jubelte die Menge.
When he crossed the finish line, the crowd cheered.
Use with the accusative
'Überschreiten' (to exceed / cross) is a transitive verb and always needs a direct object in the accusative. You always exceed or cross *something*.
EXAMPLE
Der Fahrer hat die erlaubte Geschwindigkeit überschritten.
The driver exceeded the permitted speed.
Perfect tense with 'haben'
Although the verb describes movement across a boundary, the perfect tense is always formed with 'haben' (to have), not with 'sein' (to be). This is a common mistake.
EXAMPLE
Der Alpinist hat den Gipfel gestern überschritten.
The mountaineer crossed the summit yesterday.
Typical collocations
In this meaning, 'überschreiten' (to exceed) is often combined with abstract limits and values. Typical examples are: exceeding the budget, the costs, a deadline, or a time limit.
EXAMPLE
Wir dürfen das geplante Budget für das Projekt nicht überschreiten.
We must not exceed the planned budget for the project.
Context: Physical boundaries
When it refers to physical movement, the verb is used with places and lines. Common objects are: crossing the border, the road, a river, or the finish line.
EXAMPLE
Es ist verboten, die Gleise an dieser Stelle zu überschreiten.
It is forbidden to cross the tracks at this point.
Context: Social rules
In a social or legal context, 'überschreiten' (to overstep) refers to intangible boundaries. Typical objects are: overstepping one's authority, one's powers, or a red line.
EXAMPLE
Mit dieser unverschämten Bemerkung hat er eine Grenze überschritten.
With that outrageous remark, he overstepped a boundary.
Compare with
überschreiten vs verletzen
to injure / hurt / violate
Verletzen refers to violating a rule, duty, or right, with the norm directly as the object. Überschreiten is used when something is understood as a boundary, permitted limit, or scope. So you verletzen a duty, but überschreiten a deadline or your authority, for example.
überschreiten
Mit der unerlaubten Veröffentlichung überschritt der Mitarbeiter seine Befugnisse.
By publishing the information without authorization, the employee overstepped his authority.
verletzen
Mit der unerlaubten Veröffentlichung verletzte der Mitarbeiter seine Pflicht zur Vertraulichkeit.
By publishing the information without authorization, the employee violated his duty of confidentiality.
In real life
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