über

See also: über-, uber, uber-, and ueber

German

FWOTD – 28 October 2012

From Old High German ubiri, ubari, from Proto-Germanic *ubiri, from Proto-Indo-European *upéri, from *upér (ultimately from *upo + *-i). Cognate with Ancient Greek ὑπέρ (hupér, “above”), Latin super (“above”).

über

(accusative or dative) above, over, foremost
Es gab eine Brücke über dem Fluss. ― There was a bridge over the river.

Der Vogel flog über den Fluss. ― The bird flew over the river.
(accusative) by, via, through
Der Zug fährt über den Hauptbahnhof. ― The train goes via the main station.

Ich kaufe alles über das Internet. ― I buy everything through the internet.
(accusative) across
Ich fahre mit der Fähre über die Ostsee. ― I travel on the ferry across the Baltic Sea.
- 2010, Der Spiegel, issue 24/2010, page 128:
  Das Schiff legt an, und die Besucher steigen in einen weißen Bus, der sie über die Insel fährt.
  The ship docks and the visitors step into a white bus, which drives them across the island.
- 2012 June 29, Die Welt , page 22:
  Die Popularität von Jeans reicht über alle Altersklassen und soziale Schichten hinweg.
  The popularity of jeans extends across all age classes and social classes.
(accusative) during, for, over a time period
Es regnete über das Wochenende. ― It rained over the weekend.

Er hat uns über Jahre belogen. ― He's lied to us for years.
(accusative) about
Ich schreibe ein Buch über Goethes Leben. ― I'm writing a book about Goethe's life.
around, among

The preposition über is used with accusative case if the verb shows movement from one place to another, whereas it is used with dative case if the verb shows location.

über

over, more than
Das Auto kostet über 10.000 Euro. ― The car costs over 10,000 euros.

über

(following accusative) throughout
Den ganzen Tag über. ― Throughout the entire day.

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