worüber
what ... about
Asks about something that an action or feeling refers to with the preposition „über“ (about).
EXAMPLE
Worüber habt ihr euch gestern unterhalten?
What did you talk about yesterday?
worüber
what ... about
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Meanings
worüber
about which
Refers to something mentioned previously or to an entire situation and connects it with a following subordinate clause. It means “about this thing” or “about this situation.”
EXAMPLE
Sie hat die Prüfung bestanden, worüber wir uns sehr freuen.
She passed the exam, which we are very happy about.
worüber
over what
Asks what something is located above or what something passes over or moves across.
EXAMPLE
Worüber führt die Brücke: über einen Fluss oder über eine Straße?
What does the bridge cross: a river or a road?
Usage tips
Word formation
„Worüber“ consists of „wo“ (where), a linking „r“, and „über“ (about/over). The „r“ makes the connection easier because „über“ begins with a vowel; the preposition „über“ helps you recognize the appropriate usage pattern.
EXAMPLE
Worüber möchtest du mit mir sprechen?
What would you like to talk to me about?
Direct and indirect questions
In a direct question, the conjugated verb comes immediately after „worüber“. If „worüber“ introduces an indirect question, the conjugated verb comes at the end of this subordinate clause.
EXAMPLE
Worüber beschwert sich der Gast?
What is the guest complaining about?
Ich weiß nicht, worüber sich der Gast beschwert.
I don't know what the guest is complaining about.
Matching verb combinations
Learn „worüber“ together with combinations such as „über etwas nachdenken“ (to think about something), „sich über etwas ärgern“ (to be annoyed about something), and „über etwas lachen“ (to laugh about something). The preposition in the combination determines that the question is formed with „worüber“.
EXAMPLE
Worüber denkst du gerade nach?
What are you thinking about right now?
Entire sentence content
After a complete sentence, „worüber“ can refer back to the entire content just mentioned. The following subordinate clause comes after a comma and often expresses a reaction or feeling about this content.
EXAMPLE
Der Zug hatte zwei Stunden Verspätung, worüber sich viele Fahrgäste beschwerten.
The train was two hours late, which many passengers complained about.
Spatial signal words
With words such as „Brücke“ (bridge), „Flugzeug“ (airplane), or „fliegen“ (to fly), „worüber“ can have a spatial meaning. Pay particular attention to whether the sentence describes a route or movement.
EXAMPLE
Worüber fliegen die Zugvögel auf ihrem Weg nach Afrika?
What do the migratory birds fly over on their way to Africa?
In real life
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