Verb

überholen

to overtake, to pass, to surpass, to overhaul

Man darf hier nicht überholen.

You are not allowed to overtake here.

Die neue Technologie hat die alte überholt.

The new technology has surpassed the old one.

Der Motor des Autos muss überholt werden.

The car's engine needs to be overhauled.

((sb./sth.)) to overtake sb./sth. The fast runner overtook all the others.

((sth.)) to overhaul sth. The workshop will overhaul the engine.

Synonyms: to pass, to surpass; Antonyms: to fall behind

From 'über' (over) + 'holen' (to fetch, to get). The idea is 'to get over/past' something.

Imagine a car 'getting' (holen) itself 'over' (über) the car in front. This visual helps remember 'to overtake'.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.