übergelaufen
The English phrase defected is translated into German as übergelaufen.
The term übergelaufen is used to express the act of defection, and it literally translates to 'crossed over'.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the perfect tense to say someone has defected, use the auxiliary verb sein (ist) instead of haben (hat), such as in the phrase ist übergelaufen. This is because überlaufen is a verb of movement or change of state.
Did you know?
- The verb überlaufen can also mean that a liquid has overflowed a container. Because of this, übergelaufen is used both for a political defector and for a pot of boiling water that has spilled over the stove.
- In the context of the Cold War, the act of defecting was often described as Republikflucht, which means 'flight from the republic'. This legal term treated the act of defecting as a criminal escape rather than a political choice.
- While übergelaufen refers to changing sides, Germans use the word aussteigen ('to step out') to describe someone leaving a political party or movement. This frames the defection as exiting a vehicle rather than crossing a border.
Examples in context
- Libyens Außenminister ist übergelaufen.Libya's foreign minister has defected.This sentence is useful for seeing how to say that a foreign minister has defected using übergelaufen.Tatoeba #819416 by Zaghawa, translation #819415 by Jesse
- Der Politiker ist zur gegnerischen Partei übergelaufen.The politician defected to the opposing party.
- Der Soldat hat während des Krieges desertiert.The soldier defected during the war.
- Der Agent ist zur Gegenseite übergelaufen.The agent defected to the opposing side.
- Er ist von der Partei übergelaufen.He defected from the party.
Example conversation
Two people are discussing a political news report.
- MaximilianHast du die Nachrichten gehört?Did you hear the news?
- HannahJa, ein hoher Offizier ist übergelaufen.Yes, a high-ranking officer defected.
- MaximilianDas ist eine große Überraschung.That is a big surprise.
- HannahEs wird die Situation verändern.It will change the situation.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
