to live on
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to live on
To stay alive and continue one's life, especially after a serious illness, an accident, or another life-changing event.
Trotz des schweren Schicksalsschlags fand sie die Kraft, für ihre Kinder weiterzuleben.
Despite the severe blow of fate, she found the strength to live on for her children.
to live on
To continue to exist after physical death in people's memories, in works, ideas, or traditions.
Durch seine unvergesslichen Lieder wird der Sänger in den Herzen seiner Fans ewig weiterleben.
Through his unforgettable songs, the singer will live on forever in the hearts of his fans.
'Weiterleben' (to live on) is a separable verb with the prefix 'weiter-'. In a main clause, the prefix goes at the end of the sentence. In a subordinate clause or infinitive, the verb stays together.
Sein Geist lebt in seinen Büchern weiter.
His spirit lives on in his books.
Unlike verbs of movement, the perfect tense of 'weiterleben' (to live on) is formed with the auxiliary verb 'haben' (to have). So it is 'er hat weitergelebt' (he lived on / he has lived on).
Nach dem Unfall hat er noch viele Jahre glücklich weitergelebt.
After the accident, he lived on happily for many more years.
In the figurative meaning, 'weiterleben' (to live on) is often combined with prepositional phrases such as 'in der Erinnerung' (in memory), 'in den Herzen der Menschen' (in people's hearts), or 'in seinen Werken' (in his works).
In der Erinnerung seiner Freunde wird er für immer weiterleben.
In the memory of his friends, he will live on forever.
The literal meaning refers to a person's physical survival. The figurative meaning describes how a person, an idea, or a work continues to exist in memory or culture after death.
Die Ärzte gaben ihm nur noch wenige Monate, aber er kämpfte und lebte weiter.
The doctors gave him only a few months, but he fought and lived on.
to survive
Überleben emphasizes that a person does not die from an illness, an accident, or another danger. Weiterleben focuses on life afterward. Überleben therefore fits the outcome of the event, while weiterleben refers to the continuation of life that follows.
Nach dem schweren Unfall lebt Paul mit einigen Einschränkungen weiter.
After the serious accident, Paul continues living with some limitations.
Trotz seiner schweren Verletzungen hat Paul den Unfall überlebt.
Despite his severe injuries, Paul survived the accident.
