En 15 secondes
- To outweigh or be more significant than something else.
- Used for abstract concepts like advantages, risks, or emotions.
- Commonly seen in weather reports as the adverb 'überwiegend'.
Signification
Think of a set of old-school balance scales. When one side is heavier and pulls the scale down, that thing is 'überwiegen'—it outweighs or predominates over the rest.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Deciding on a new apartment
Die Vorteile dieser Wohnung überwiegen die hohen Kosten.
The advantages of this apartment outweigh the high costs.
Talking about a mixed-feeling movie
Die positiven Kritiken überwiegen bei diesem Film eindeutig.
The positive reviews clearly predominate for this film.
Discussing a job offer with a partner
Im Moment überwiegt bei mir die Freude über das Angebot.
At the moment, my joy about the offer is the dominant feeling.
Contexte culturel
In German talk shows (Talkshows), you will often hear moderators ask: 'Überwiegen für Sie die Chancen oder die Risiken?' This reflects the national habit of structured debate. In Swiss direct democracy, voters are given a 'Stimmrechtsausweis' with detailed pros and cons. The goal is for the voter to decide which side 'überwiegt' before casting a ballot. Austrian German uses 'überwiegen' similarly, but in casual conversation, you might hear more 'vorgreifen' or 'dominieren' in specific regional dialects. In German universities, 'überwiegen' is a 'Signalwort' (signal word) for the conclusion of a paper. If you don't use it, your professor might think your analysis is incomplete.
The 'Vorteile' Trick
90% of the time you use this verb, you will be talking about 'Vorteile' (advantages) and 'Nachteile' (disadvantages). Memorize this pair as a single block.
Don't Split!
Even though it looks like a separable verb, it is NOT. Never say 'Es wiegt über'. It is always 'Es überwiegt'.
En 15 secondes
- To outweigh or be more significant than something else.
- Used for abstract concepts like advantages, risks, or emotions.
- Commonly seen in weather reports as the adverb 'überwiegend'.
What It Means
Imagine you are making a big life decision. You have a list of pros and a list of cons. If the pros are more important or numerous, they überwiegen. It is about one element being stronger, more frequent, or more significant than others in a set. It is not just about physical weight. It is about influence and presence.
How To Use It
You use überwiegen as a verb. It usually takes a subject that is an abstract concept. You might say the advantages überwiegen the disadvantages. You do not need a preposition like 'over' in English. The thing being outweighed usually stays in the accusative case. It is a very clean and direct way to show which side is winning the argument.
When To Use It
Use this when you are being analytical. It is perfect for business meetings when discussing risks. It works great when you are reviewing a movie with friends. You can use it when talking about your feelings too. If you are mostly happy but a bit sad, the happiness überwiegen. It makes you sound thoughtful and balanced.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for physical objects on a scale. If you are heavier than your brother, do not say you überwiegen him. Use schwerer sein instead. Also, avoid it in very high-energy, slang-heavy conversations. It is a bit too 'intellectual' for a rowdy football match. Using it there might make your friends think you have been reading too many philosophy books.
Cultural Background
Germans are famous for their love of 'Pro-und-Contra' lists. Before buying a car or choosing a university, a German will likely weigh every detail. überwiegen is the linguistic conclusion of that cultural habit. It is the final verdict after the analysis is done. It reflects a culture that values logic and careful consideration over impulsive choices.
Common Variations
The most common variation is the adverb überwiegend. You will hear this every single day in the weather report. If the meteorologist says it will be überwiegend sonnig, grab your sunglasses. It means 'predominantly' or 'mostly'. It is a handy word to have in your back pocket for describing general trends.
Notes d'usage
The verb is inseparable and takes the auxiliary 'haben'. While it sounds slightly formal, it is perfectly acceptable in everyday neutral conversation when making comparisons.
The 'Vorteile' Trick
90% of the time you use this verb, you will be talking about 'Vorteile' (advantages) and 'Nachteile' (disadvantages). Memorize this pair as a single block.
Don't Split!
Even though it looks like a separable verb, it is NOT. Never say 'Es wiegt über'. It is always 'Es überwiegt'.
Weather Talk
If you want to sound like a local, use 'überwiegend' when talking about the weather. 'Überwiegend bewölkt' is the most 'German' way to say it's a bit grey outside.
Exemples
6Die Vorteile dieser Wohnung überwiegen die hohen Kosten.
The advantages of this apartment outweigh the high costs.
A classic use for comparing pros and cons.
Die positiven Kritiken überwiegen bei diesem Film eindeutig.
The positive reviews clearly predominate for this film.
Shows that the majority of opinions are positive.
Im Moment überwiegt bei mir die Freude über das Angebot.
At the moment, my joy about the offer is the dominant feeling.
Used here to describe a dominant emotion.
Auf dieser Party überwiegen definitiv die Leute mit schlechten Witzen.
People with bad jokes definitely predominate at this party.
A humorous way to describe the crowd.
Es war anstrengend, aber der Spaß hat überwogen!
It was exhausting, but the fun outweighed it!
Using the past tense to summarize an experience.
Die Risiken überwiegen in diesem Fall leider die Chancen.
Unfortunately, in this case, the risks outweigh the opportunities.
Standard professional phrasing for risk assessment.
Teste-toi
Fülle die Lücke mit der richtigen Form von 'überwiegen'.
In der gestrigen Debatte _________ die Argumente der Opposition.
Since it's 'yesterday' (gestrigen), we need the Präteritum plural form: überwogen.
Welcher Satz ist grammatikalisch korrekt?
Wähle den richtigen Satz:
'Überwiegen' is inseparable and transitive. It doesn't use 'über' at the end and isn't for body weight.
Ordne die Situation dem passenden Satz zu.
Situation: Ein Wetterbericht sagt, dass es fast den ganzen Tag regnet.
'Überwiegend' is the adverbial form used to mean 'mostly' in weather contexts.
Vervollständige den Dialog.
A: Sollen wir das Haus kaufen? Es ist sehr alt. B: Ja, die Lage ist so gut, dass sie die Mängel am Haus _________.
The subject is 'die Lage' (singular), so the verb must be 'überwiegt'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Überwiegen: Pros vs. Cons
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesIn der gestrigen Debatte _________ die Argumente der Opposition.
Since it's 'yesterday' (gestrigen), we need the Präteritum plural form: überwogen.
Wähle den richtigen Satz:
'Überwiegen' is inseparable and transitive. It doesn't use 'über' at the end and isn't for body weight.
Situation: Ein Wetterbericht sagt, dass es fast den ganzen Tag regnet.
'Überwiegend' is the adverbial form used to mean 'mostly' in weather contexts.
A: Sollen wir das Haus kaufen? Es ist sehr alt. B: Ja, die Lage ist so gut, dass sie die Mängel am Haus _________.
The subject is 'die Lage' (singular), so the verb must be 'überwiegt'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNot always, but it is 'educated'. You can use it with friends when discussing a serious choice, but you wouldn't use it to talk about which pizza topping you prefer.
Only if you mean their influence or number. 'In der Firma überwiegen die Frauen' (There are more women in the company). You cannot use it to say someone is heavier than someone else.
'Dominieren' implies an active power or control. 'Überwiegen' is more about a passive balance or a logical result.
It always takes 'haben'. Example: 'Die Vorteile haben überwogen.'
Yes! 'Überwiegend sind die Leute hier nett.' (Mostly, the people here are nice).
There isn't a single verb for 'to be outweighed'. You usually say 'unterlegen sein' or simply 'nicht ins Gewicht fallen'.
It is usually used directly with an accusative object or alone. You don't need a preposition like 'an'.
Yes, to say one period was longer. 'Die Regenzeit überwog in diesem Jahr.'
Very similar. 'Meistens' is more common in speech; 'überwiegend' is more common in reports and weather.
It is a hard 'g' like in 'go'.
Expressions liées
den Ausschlag geben
similarto be the deciding factor
ins Gewicht fallen
similarto carry weight / be significant
vorherrschen
synonymto prevail / predominate
übertreffen
similarto surpass / exceed
