German word

überqueren

Pronunciation

IPA/ˌyːbɐˈkveːʁən/

Meaning

  • verbcross

Example

Wir überqueren den Fluss.

We are crossing the river.

Illustration for überqueren (cross)

More examples

Im Roman überqueren die Figuren oft die Grenze zwischen Realität und Traum.

In the novel, the characters often cross the border between reality and dream.

Core concept

Someone or something moves across a dividing space, such as a river, road, or border, to reach the far side.

Common phrases

  • den Fluss überqueren

    cross the river

  • eine Grenze überqueren

    cross a border

Similar words

rübergehen: Go on foot from one side to the other.
durchqueren: Travel through the interior of a broad space or region.
übersetzen: Take people or goods to the opposite bank by boat or ferry.
überfahren: Run over a person or animal while driving a vehicle.

Definition in German

mit dem Körper oder einem Verkehrsmittel von einer Seite einer Fläche, Grenze oder Strecke zur anderen gelangen

Word origin

The prefix über- combines with queren, which comes from quer and gives the verb its sense of moving transversely across something.

Usage tips

  • Überqueren is written as one inseparable verb, unlike a separable-prefix verb such as übersetzen in some of its meanings.

Other meanings

  • traverseverb
  • cross oververb

Opposites

Related words

  • Überquerungcrossingnoun
  • überquerbarcrossableadjective

Word lists with this word