The exact lemma appears at position 9,092 in the cited OpenSubtitles-derived Dutch 50k token list. That is a corpus signal, not search volume or a claim that every sense is equally common. Forms, glosses, pronunciation and cited examples are adapted from English Wiktionary via Kaikki under CC BY-SA 4.0. See sources and modifications.
How overgaan is pronounced
No IPA value is reproduced for this entry. Use a current native-speaker dictionary recording before copying the pronunciation.
Pronunciation can vary by region and speaking context. Treat the transcription as a compact reference, then compare it with current native audio and practise the verb inside a phrase rather than as an isolated sound.
What overgaan means
to turn into
to move up
switch, shift (from one thing or status to another)
pass on to, bequeath (transfer ownership to another)
to get over, cross, pass (a hurdle)
The English gloss identifies a sense, not a one-word substitution that works in every sentence. Check the object, preposition, reflexive pronoun or separable element in the Dutch example before transferring the verb to a new situation.
Overgaan conjugation table
| Tense | Subject | Dutch form |
|---|---|---|
| Present | ik | ga over |
| Present | jij (subject first) | gaat over |
| Present | hij/zij/het | gaat over |
| Present | wij/jullie/zij | gaan over |
| Simple past | singular | ging over |
| Simple past | plural | gingen over |
| Past participle | — | overgegaan |
The table shows the standard subject-first jij anchor. Inversion after jij and formal u can require a different surface form. For separable verbs, the cited forms may already show the element in its natural main-clause position. In perfect constructions, choose the auxiliary required by the actual meaning and construction; do not attach hebben or zijn mechanically.
Translated overgaan examples
De onderkant van de stengel gaat over in de wortel.⁽ᵂᴾ⁾
The underside of the stem turns into the root.
We gaan over op aardgas.
We are switching to natural gas.
De boerderij ging over op zijn zoon toen hij overleed.
The farm passed on to his son when he died.
Ondanks het moeilijke jaar is de leerling wel overgegaan.
Despite the difficult year, the pupil did pass to the next grade.
De telefoon ging over, maar niemand nam op.
The phone rang, but nobody answered.
These examples are citation-backed language data. Use them to notice the verb's partners and sentence position. Then change only one detail at a time—subject, time, place or object—so that your next sentence stays grammatical and remains connected to a real communicative purpose.
Turn the reference into speaking practice
- Read the first example once and identify the finite verb, subject and any required particle or preposition.
- Build a new present-tense message with ga over or gaat over and add a concrete time or place.
- Move the same event into the past with ging over; keep the meaning stable while changing the timeline.
- Use overgegaan in a complete result message after checking the correct auxiliary for that construction.
Record all four messages without restarting. Listen once for meaning and sentence order, then once for the target form. Correct only the first error that changes meaning or blocks the listener, and repeat the sentence with one new detail. This creates retrieval practice rather than table recitation.
Self-check
- The chosen sense matches the situation.
- The finite form agrees with the subject.
- The time marker and verb tense tell the same timeline.
- Any separable element, reflexive pronoun, object or fixed preposition is present.
- The sentence contains enough detail for another person to respond.
Questions about overgaan
What does overgaan mean?
to turn into; to move up; switch, shift (from one thing or status to another); pass on to, bequeath (transfer ownership to another); to get over, cross, pass (a hurdle).
What is the past tense of overgaan?
The cited standard singular anchor is ging over and the plural anchor is gingen over.
What is the past participle of overgaan?
The cited past participle is overgegaan. Verify the auxiliary in the sentence you actually want to say.
Use overgaan in a recorded answer
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