überweisen
to transfer
To transfer money electronically from one account to another.
EXAMPLE
Ich muss die Miete noch für diesen Monat überweisen.
I still have to transfer the rent for this month.
überweisen
to transfer / to refer
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Meanings
überweisen
to refer
To send a patient to another doctor, specialist, or hospital for further examination or treatment.
EXAMPLE
Mein Hausarzt hat mich an einen Orthopäden überwiesen.
My family doctor referred me to an orthopedist.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Überweisen' (to transfer/to refer) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'über-' remains firmly attached to the verb stem in all conjugated forms and sentence types.
EXAMPLE
Sie hat das Geld gestern überwiesen.
She transferred the money yesterday.
Context clue
The meaning is very clear from context. If it is about 'Geld' (money), 'Konto' (account), or 'Rechnung' (bill/invoice), it refers to a bank transaction. If it is about 'Arzt' (doctor), 'Patient' (patient), or 'Klinik' (clinic/hospital), it refers to a medical referral.
EXAMPLE
Können Sie mir bitte das Geld für das Ticket überweisen?
Could you please transfer me the money for the ticket?
Sentence structure with money
For money transfers, the structure is often: '[Geld] auf ein Konto überweisen' ([money] to transfer to an account) or 'jemandem [Geld] überweisen' (to transfer [money] to someone). The person receiving the money can also be named with 'an' + accusative.
EXAMPLE
Ich überweise dir das Geld morgen.
I'll transfer you the money tomorrow.
Sentence structure with patients
For a medical referral, the structure 'jemanden (Akkusativ) an jemanden/etwas (Akkusativ) überweisen' (to refer someone to someone/something) is used. The preposition 'an' is crucial here.
EXAMPLE
Die Ärztin überwies den Patienten an einen Kardiologen.
The doctor referred the patient to a cardiologist.
Compare with
überweisen vs anweisen
to instruct / to depend on
When talking about money transfers, anweisen means authorizing or ordering a payment to be made. Überweisen refers to the actual electronic transfer of money from one account to another. Use anweisen when someone initiates the payment, and überweisen when the amount is actually transferred.
überweisen
Die Buchhalterin überwies den Rechnungsbetrag vom Firmenkonto auf das angegebene Konto.
The accountant transferred the invoice amount from the company account to the specified account.
anweisen
Die Buchhalterin wies die Bank an, den Rechnungsbetrag auf das angegebene Konto zu zahlen.
The accountant instructed the bank to pay the invoice amount into the specified account.
In real life
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