Before you start
Meet überziehen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
über- + ziehen
- über-
- over or across, as something is drawn over a surface
- ziehen
- to pull
Imagine pulling a layer over something to cover it; this image also helps with pulling clothing on.
So überziehen means to coat or cover; to put on (clothing); to overdraw (an account).
A memory aid, not a rule: prefixes change meaning from verb to verb.
Learning approach inspired by this explanation in r/German.
Verb family
More verbs built on ziehen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
Separable verb: über·ziehen
In a main clause the prefix über splits off and goes to the end. After weil, dass and other subordinating words, the verb stays in one piece at the end.
Main clauseIch ziehe eine Decke über.I pull a blanket over.
Subordinate clauseSie sagt, dass ich eine Decke überziehe.She says that I’m pulling a blanket over.
Participle: übergezogenzu-infinitive: überzuziehen
Forms
How überziehen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | überziehe | überzog |
| du | überziehst | überzogst |
| er/sie/es | überzieht | überzog |
| wir | überziehen | überzogen |
| ihr | überzieht | überzogt |
| Sie | überziehen | überzogen |
Partizip II überzogen · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Sie überzieht den Kuchen mit Schokolade.She covers the cake with chocolate.covering food
- 2Er hat sein Konto überzogen.He has overdrawn his account.Perfekt with haben
- 3Wenn es kalt ist, kann ich einen Pullover überziehen.When it’s cold, I can put on a sweater.modal verb plus infinitive
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
überziehen + der Kuchen
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Say what the cake is coated with.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I covered the cakeder Kuchen with chocolatedie Schokolade.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When it got coldcold, she put on a sweaterder Pullover.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He put on his coatder Mantel because it was rainingrain.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The accountdas Konto that he overdrawn is now emptyempty.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
You must put on a jacketdie Jacke before you go outsidedraußen.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She tried not to overdraw her accountdas Konto.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Would you coat the cakeder Kuchen with sugarder Zucker?
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 9 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
überziehen + das Konto + dass
Your challenge
- 1Use a dass-clause.
- 2Use the present tense and put the verb at the clause’s end.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
When do you put on an extra layer of clothing?
Your challenge
- 1Answer with one German sentence.
- 2Use the reflexive form of the verb.
- 3Include a wenn-clause.