to overpower / overwhelm
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to overpower
To defeat someone with physical strength or force and bring them under control.
Die Polizei konnte den flüchtigen Dieb nach einer kurzen Verfolgung überwältigen.
The police were able to overpower the fleeing thief after a short chase.
to overwhelm
To affect, impress, or overburden someone emotionally very strongly, so that the person can hardly react to it.
Die Freundlichkeit und Hilfsbereitschaft der Menschen hat mich völlig überwältigt.
The kindness and helpfulness of the people completely overwhelmed me.
'Überwältigen' (to overpower / overwhelm) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'über-' is never separated from the verb stem, not even in main clauses or in the past participle.
Die Schönheit der Landschaft hat mich überwältigt.
The beauty of the landscape overwhelmed me.
The context makes the meaning clear. If it is about police, fighting, or physical strength, the literal meaning 'besiegen' (to defeat) is meant. If it is about feelings, impressions, or experiences, the emotional meaning is meant.
Zwei Polizisten mussten den Täter überwältigen.
Two police officers had to overpower the offender.
In the emotional meaning, the passive form is used very often. You say 'ich bin überwältigt' (I am overwhelmed) or 'ich wurde überwältigt' (I was overwhelmed) to describe the state of being deeply moved.
Ich war von seiner Großzügigkeit völlig überwältigt.
I was completely overwhelmed by his generosity.
to impress
Beeindrucken and überwältigen can both express a very strong emotional effect. Beeindrucken means that someone feels admiration or respect; überwältigen describes an effect so powerful that the person can hardly react. Use überwältigen only when the intensity reaches that level.
Die bewegende Rede überwältigte die Zuhörerin, sodass sie zunächst kein Wort sagen konnte.
The moving speech overwhelmed the listener, so she initially couldn't say a word.
Die bewegende Rede beeindruckte die Zuhörer und erhielt viel Applaus.
The moving speech impressed the audience and received a great deal of applause.
