überhaupt

Based on: Haupt, über
Goethe B1 Adverb
  1. at all
  2. anyway
  3. “in general“
1.

at all

(in questions and if-scenarios and in negations it can be used as an intensifier)
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Examples
  • "250? Das ist ein bisschen teuer.""Okay, 200, letztes Wort.""Hmm... ich weiß nicht...""Willst du überhaupt kaufen?"
  • "250? That's a little expensive.""Okay, 200, last offer.""Hmm... I don't know... ""Do you want to buy at all?"
  • Practice pronunciation - click once to start recording and again to stop
2.

anyway

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Examples
  • Aber ich hab' deinen ach so teuren BioVanillejogurt nicht gegessen. Woher willst du das überhaupt wissen?
  • But I didn't eat your oh so expensive organic vanilla yogurt. How do you wanna know that anyway?
  • Practice pronunciation - click once to start recording and again to stop
3.

“in general“

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Examples
  • Du kannst nicht einfach meinen Jogurt aus dem Kühlschrank nehmen und essen. Ich brauche den für meine Verdauung, ich habe mich drauf gefreut und überhaupt.. das war einfach nicht deiner.
  • You cannot just take my yogurt from the fridge and eat it. I need it for my digestion, I was looking forward to eating it and then... it simply wasn't yours (to begin with).
  • Practice pronunciation - click once to start recording and again to stop

Word Family

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Sources for Etymology:

My Articles

The meaning of “überhaupt”

"überhaupt" is the main German option for "at all" and it works in questions, statements and with negations. Today, we'll learn why, and how to use it properly.

Read article →

“anyway” in German – The Exercise

There are five (main) ways of translating "anyway" in German. Today, we'll practice when to use which.

Read article →

Questions and Comments

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How many meanings does the German word 'überhaupt' have?

überhaupt has 3 distinct meanings: 1. at all , 2. anyway, 3. “in general“.

What is 'überhaupt' related to?

The word 'überhaupt' is related to Haupt and über.

Where can I learn more about 'überhaupt'?

Here are some articles where you can learn more about 'überhaupt':

The meaning of “überhaupt”
"überhaupt" is the main German option for "at all" and it works in questions, statements and with negations. Today, we'll learn why, and how to use it properly.
Read article

“anyway” in German – The Exercise
There are five (main) ways of translating "anyway" in German. Today, we'll practice when to use which.
Read article