01
überziehen
to put on
To put on a piece of clothing, usually over something else that you are already wearing.
example
Zieh dir bitte eine Jacke über, es wird kühl.
Please put on a jacket; it's getting chilly.
überziehen
to put on / overdraw / coat
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable or inseparable?
The separability of 'überziehen' depends on the meaning. When it means 'ein Kleidungsstück anziehen' (to put on a piece of clothing), it is separable. In the other meanings (account, time, covering something), it is inseparable.
EXAMPLE
Zieh dir einen Pullover über, es ist kalt!
Put on a sweater; it's cold!
Reflexive use
In the meaning 'Kleidung anziehen' (to put on clothes), the verb is often used reflexively with a dative pronoun. The structure is: sich (dative) etwas (accusative) überziehen.
EXAMPLE
Ich ziehe mir nur schnell eine andere Hose über.
I'm just quickly putting on a different pair of pants.
Typical objects
In this meaning, 'überziehen' is almost always used with financial or time limits. Typical objects are 'das Konto' (the account), 'das Budget' (the budget), or 'das Zeitlimit' (the time limit).
EXAMPLE
Studenten dürfen ihr Konto oft bis zu einem bestimmten Betrag überziehen.
Students are often allowed to overdraw their account up to a certain amount.
Covering something
When something is covered with a layer, the structure 'etwas mit etwas überziehen' (to coat something with something) is used. The layer is introduced with the preposition 'mit' and the dative.
EXAMPLE
Die Plätzchen werden mit flüssiger Schokolade überzogen.
The cookies are coated with melted chocolate.
Exceeding time
When it is about time, 'überziehen' can be used with or without an object. Without an object, it means that a person speaks longer or an event lasts longer than planned.
EXAMPLE
Bitte versuchen Sie, bei Ihrem Vortrag nicht zu überziehen.
Please try not to overrun during your presentation.
Compare with
überziehen vs beziehen
to refer / move into / receive
'beziehen' and 'überziehen' can both mean that something gets a new outer layer. The difference lies in the typical object. 'beziehen' is used especially with furniture when a chair, sofa, or bed gets new fabric or leather. 'überziehen' is more general and means that something is covered with a layer or coating, for example with chocolate, icing, or paint. The words can be confusing because both have to do with covering something. For furniture fabric, 'beziehen' usually fits; for a layer on a surface, 'überziehen' is more likely.
überziehen
Zum Geburtstag überzieht Lena den Kuchen mit dunkler Schokolade.
For her birthday, Lena coats the cake with dark chocolate.
beziehen
Der alte Sessel wird neu bezogen, weil der Stoff kaputt ist.
The old armchair is being reupholstered because the fabric is damaged.
In real life
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