hinüber

Definition & meaning

hinüber means “over” or “across” to the other side, with movement away from the speaker’s position.

It can also be used figuratively for a transition from one state or period into another. In informal speech, hinüber can mean “broken” or “worn out.”

Grammar & Word origin

hinüber is an adverb formed from hin ↗ (“away from here”) and über ↗ (“over” or “across”).

It often combines with verbs as a separable prefix, as in hinübergehen ↗ (“to go across”).

Synonyms & antonyms

• rüber ↗ — a colloquial form meaning “over” or “across”; it does not clearly distinguish movement toward or away from the speaker.
• herüber ↗ — “over here” or “across toward the speaker,” the directional counterpart of hinüber.

For the informal sense “broken”:

• kaputt ↗ — “broken”; more general and neutral.
• intakt ↗ — “intact” or “undamaged,” an antonym in this sense.

Common phrases & collocations

• hinübergehen ↗ — to go across; also a euphemism for “to pass away.”
• hinüberfahren ↗ — to travel or drive across.
• hinüber sein ↗ — to be broken or worn out, informally.