verb

übersteigen

exceed · climb over

Größer oder mehr sein als etwas anderes.

Definition & meaning

übersteigen is a German verb with two main meanings:

To exceed, surpass, or go beyond a limit or amount
It is used when something is greater than an expected, permitted, or previously stated value.
- Die Kosten übersteigen das Budget.
  “The costs exceed the budget.”
- Die Nachfrage übersteigt das Angebot.
  “Demand exceeds supply.”
- Seine Erwartungen wurden überstiegen.
  “His expectations were surpassed.”
To climb over or get over something
This usually refers to physically crossing an obstacle such as a wall, fence, or barrier.
- Sie überstieg den Zaun.
  “She climbed over the fence.”
- Er überstieg die Mauer.
  “He climbed over the wall.”

In the figurative sense, übersteigen often means that something is more extensive, intense, or valuable than something else. For “to surpass a person’s performance or abilities,” übertreffen is often more natural.

Grammar & Word origin

Infinitive: übersteigen
Simple past: überstieg
Past participle: überstiegen
Auxiliary verb: haben
Verb type: strong verb
Third-person singular present: er/sie/es übersteigt

The verb consists of:

über- — “over,” “above,” or “beyond”
steigen — “to climb,” “to rise,” or “to ascend”

Literally, it can mean “to climb over,” which developed into the figurative meaning “to go beyond” or “to exceed.”

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

übertreffen — “to surpass” or “to outperform”; usually refers to quality, achievement, performance, or expectations, rather than simply exceeding a numerical limit.
überschreiten — “to exceed” or “to cross”; especially common with limits, boundaries, deadlines, and thresholds.
überbieten — “to outbid” or “to surpass an offer”; often used in auctions, prices, or competing claims.
hinausgehen über — “to go beyond”; emphasizes moving beyond a boundary or scope.
überklettern — “to climb over”; more specifically describes physically climbing over an obstacle.

Antonyms

unterschreiten — “to fall below” or “to remain under” a limit or threshold.
unterbieten — “to underbid” or offer a lower price than someone else.
zurückbleiben hinter — “to lag behind” or fail to reach the level of something else.
einhalten — “to comply with” or “stay within” a rule, limit, or deadline.