die  Überschwemmung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˌyːbɐˈʃvɛmʊŋ/

🌊 What exactly is an Überschwemmung?

Die Überschwemmung (noun, feminine) refers to the event where water (typically from a river, lake, or sea) overflows its banks or accumulates due to heavy rain, covering normally dry land. It is a natural disaster that can cause significant damage.

There is only this one meaning and the article die. No exceptions or common pitfalls here. 😌

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of 'die Überschwemmung' in Detail

The word 'Überschwemmung' is a feminine noun. The article is always 'die'.

Example Sentences

1. Nach tagelangem Regen kam es zu einer schweren Überschwemmung.
   After days of rain, a severe flood occurred.
2. Die Behörden warnten vor weiteren Überschwemmungen in der Region.
   The authorities warned of further floods in the region.
3. Die Schäden durch die Überschwemmung waren immens.
   The damage caused by the flood was immense.

💡 How to use 'Überschwemmung'?

The term 'Überschwemmung' is used to describe the phenomenon when water inundates land areas.

• Context: Mostly used in relation to natural events (heavy rain, snowmelt, storm surge) or technical failures (dam burst).
• Typical Collocations:
  • eine schwere/katastrophale/plötzliche Überschwemmung (a severe/catastrophic/sudden flood)
  • Schutz vor Überschwemmungen (protection against floods)
  • von der Überschwemmung betroffen sein (to be affected by the flood)
  • die Folgen der Überschwemmung (the consequences of the flood)
• Differentiation: While 'Hochwasser' (high water/floodwater) often describes the high water level of a river before it overflows, 'Überschwemmung' refers to the actual flooding of land. 'Flut' can be used synonymously but often also refers to tides (Ebbe und Flut - ebb and flow/tide).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: Many German nouns ending in '-ung' are feminine (die Endung, die Rechnung, die Hoffnung). This rule applies to die Überschwemmung too. Think of the '-ung' ending as making it 'die'.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine water schwemming (washing/floating) über (over) everything. That's an Über-schwemmung (a flood).

↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms for Überschwemmung

⚠️ Caution: 'Hochwasser' is not always the same as 'Überschwemmung'. 'Hochwasser' is the state (high water), 'Überschwemmung' is the event of overflowing.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Fisch den anderen Fisch während der Überschwemmung: "Endlich mal genug Platz zum Schwimmen, oder?" Sagt der andere: "Ja, aber die Einrichtung hier ist irgendwie... nass."

One fish asks the other during the flood: "Finally enough space to swim, right?" The other replies: "Yeah, but the decor here is kinda... wet."

📜 A Poem about the Überschwemmung

Der Regen fällt, der Fluss steigt an,
Das Wasser kommt, bricht jede Bahn.
Die Straße wird zum nassen Lauf,
Die Überschwemmung nimmt ihren Lauf.
Keller voll, das Land ertrinkt,
Ein nasses Chaos, das uns umringt.

The rain descends, the river swells,
The water comes, all banks it fells.
The street becomes a watery way,
The flood proceeds throughout the day.
Cellars full, the land does drown,
Wet chaos all around the town.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich komme oft nach starkem Regen,
oder wenn Flüsse sich bewegen,
über ihre Grenzen weit hinaus.
Ich fülle Keller, manchmal's ganze Haus.

Was bin ich?

I often come after heavy rain,
or when rivers move again,
far beyond their usual bounds.
I fill cellars, sometimes whole house grounds.

What am I?
(Answer: die Überschwemmung / the flood)

🧩 Word Components and Other Info

Word Composition: 'Überschwemmung' is composed of:

• über- (prefix, meaning 'over' or 'across')
• schwemmen (verb, meaning 'to float', 'wash', 'carry with water')
• -ung (suffix, forms a noun from the verb, often feminine)

So, it literally describes the process of something being schwemmed (washed/carried) über (over) something (or rather: water washing over something).