01
übersehen
to overlook
To unintentionally not see or not notice something or someone.
example
Entschuldigung, ich habe das Stoppschild komplett übersehen.
Sorry, I completely overlooked the stop sign.
übersehen
to overlook / survey
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 04
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Übersehen' is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'über-' always stays connected to the verb, even in main clauses. The past participle is therefore 'übersehen' (without 'ge-').
EXAMPLE
Ich habe die E-Mail gestern Abend völlig übersehen.
I completely overlooked the email last night.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'to unintentionally not notice', 'übersehen' is often combined with things that are easy to miss: 'einen Fehler übersehen' (to overlook a mistake), 'ein Detail übersehen' (to overlook a detail), or 'eine Warnung übersehen' (to overlook a warning).
EXAMPLE
Ich habe beim Korrekturlesen leider einen Tippfehler übersehen.
Unfortunately, I overlooked a typo while proofreading.
Context clue: view
When 'übersehen' describes a physical view, it is often connected with a place from which one is looking, e.g. 'vom Turm' (from the tower), 'vom Fenster aus' (from the window).
EXAMPLE
Vom Balkon aus kann man den gesamten Park übersehen.
From the balcony, you can survey the entire park.
Intentional or accidental?
Whether someone is 'übersehen' (ignored / overlooked) intentionally or unintentionally is often revealed by the context. Adverbs like 'absichtlich' (intentionally) or 'konsequent' (consistently) point to a deliberate action.
EXAMPLE
Er hat mich auf der Party absichtlich übersehen, weil er sauer war.
He deliberately ignored me at the party because he was angry.
Typical sentence pattern
In the meaning 'to understand consequences', the verb is often negated or used in the construction 'sind nicht zu übersehen' (cannot be foreseen / cannot be overlooked). This emphasizes that the consequences are still unclear or too complex.
EXAMPLE
Die wirtschaftlichen Folgen der Pandemie sind noch gar nicht zu übersehen.
The economic consequences of the pandemic cannot yet be foreseen at all.
Compare with
übersehen vs sehen
to see
'sehen' and 'übersehen' are clear opposites here. 'sehen' means that you perceive something with your eyes. 'übersehen' means that you do not notice something, even though it is there. This often happens by accident, for example with a sign, a mistake, or a person in a crowd. The words can be confusing because 'übersehen' contains the word 'sehen', but in this meaning it refers precisely to not seeing something. Remember: If you notice something, you see it. If you do not notice it, you overlook it.
übersehen
Beim Einkaufen hat mein Freund die Milch auf dem Zettel übersehen.
While shopping, my friend overlooked the milk on the list.
sehen
Vor dem Wochenende sehe ich meinen Nachbarn noch kurz im Treppenhaus.
Before the weekend, I briefly see my neighbor in the stairwell.
In real life
Loading video examples...