to overwinter
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to overwinter
To spend the winter in a sheltered place or in a special dormant state (e.g., hibernation). Usually refers to animals or plants.
Viele Zugvögel fliegen in den Süden, um dort zu überwintern.
Many migratory birds fly south to overwinter there.
'Überwintern' (to overwinter) is an inseparable verb because the prefix 'über-' is unstressed. It remains firmly attached to the verb in all sentence forms, and the past participle is formed without 'ge-'.
Der Igel überwintert in unserem Garten.
The hedgehog overwinters in our garden.
The verb is derived from the noun 'der Winter' (winter). The prefix 'über-' here has the meaning of 'to get through something' or 'to make it through a period of time'. So 'überwintern' means to get through the winter.
Einige Schmetterlinge können als Falter überwintern.
Some butterflies can overwinter as adult butterflies.
The subject of the sentence tells you which meaning is intended. If it is animals or plants, the biological meaning is meant. With people, it is about a long trip; with objects, it is about storage.
Der Igel überwintert im Laubhaufen.
The hedgehog overwinters in the pile of leaves.
The verb 'überwintern' (to overwinter) is very often combined with a prepositional phrase that indicates the location. Typical prepositions are 'in', 'an', or 'auf'.
Die Kraniche überwintern in Südeuropa.
The cranes overwinter in southern Europe.
to impute / shelter / subordinate
'unterstellen' and 'überwintern' can both have to do with a sheltered place. However, 'unterstellen' usually means protection for a short time, for example from rain or sun. You put yourself or an object underneath something. 'überwintern' means that animals, plants, or objects stay in a suitable, sheltered place for the whole winter. The words can be confused because both express protection. The important difference is time: 'unterstellen' is usually short-term, while 'überwintern' lasts through the winter months.
Die empfindlichen Pflanzen überwintern im hellen Keller.
The delicate plants overwinter in the bright cellar.
Wegen des starken Regens stellen wir die Fahrräder unter dem Vordach unter.
Because of the heavy rain, we put the bicycles under the canopy.