überführen

Überführen is a German verb with several related meanings centered on bringing someone or something across a boundary or from one state to another. The core sense is to carry over, transfer, or move across a limit, and it is used in both physical and figurative contexts. The prefix über- combined with führen conveys the idea of crossing or crossing into another condition or place.

In legal contexts, überführen means to convict or prove someone guilty of a crime. For example, “Der Angeklagte wurde überführt” indicates that guilt has been established in court. This use emphasizes establishing truth or responsibility in a formal decision.

In logistical and administrative contexts, überführen is used for transferring a person or object from one institution, location, or status to another. Examples include transferring a person to prison or retiring someone: “in das Gefängnis überführen” or “in den Ruhestand überführen.” It also appears in data or system management: “Daten in ein anderes System überführen” (migrate data to another system). The phrase can take variations such as hinüberführen to highlight the act of crossing a boundary.

In epistemic usage, überführen can mean to expose or demonstrate that something is false, such as “eine Lüge überführen” (to expose or prove a lie).

Grammar notes: überführen is a verb that typically takes a direct object and is commonly used with the perfect participle “überführt” (haben). In some contexts, especially emphasizing crossing a boundary, the separable form hinüberführen is used. Etymologically, it combines über- (over, across) with führen (to lead or conduct).