Überstunden machen
To work overtime
Literally: Over-hours to make
Use this phrase to explain staying late at work or having a heavy professional workload.
In 15 Seconds
- Means working beyond your contracted hours.
- Uses the verb 'machen' with the plural 'Überstunden'.
- Common in both professional and casual settings.
Meaning
This phrase is used when you stay at work longer than your contract requires. It's the German way of saying you're putting in extra hours to get the job done.
Key Examples
3 of 6Texting a partner about being late
Tut mir leid, ich muss heute Überstunden machen.
I'm sorry, I have to work overtime today.
Discussing work with a colleague
Hast du letzte Woche viele Überstunden gemacht?
Did you work many extra hours last week?
In a formal performance review
Herr Müller macht regelmäßig Überstunden, um Projekte abzuschließen.
Mr. Müller regularly works overtime to finish projects.
Cultural Background
In Germany, the 'Arbeitszeitkonto' (working time account) is a common concept where overtime is meticulously recorded. Unlike some cultures where staying late is a performance, Germans often view excessive overtime as a sign of poor planning or understaffing. The goal is usually to 'abbauen' (reduce) these hours as soon as possible to maintain health and happiness.
The 'Feierabend' Rule
Germans love their free time. If you tell someone you're making `Überstunden`, they will likely respond with 'Oje!' (Oh dear!) because they value your leisure time as much as you do.
Verb Placement
If you use a modal verb like 'muss' (must), 'machen' goes to the very end: 'Ich muss heute Überstunden machen'.
In 15 Seconds
- Means working beyond your contracted hours.
- Uses the verb 'machen' with the plural 'Überstunden'.
- Common in both professional and casual settings.
What It Means
Überstunden machen is a very common everyday expression. It simply means you are working past your official clock-out time. In Germany, work hours are usually strictly defined. If your contract says 40 hours, hour 41 is an Überstunde. It is a very literal and practical phrase. You will hear it in offices, factories, and hospitals alike. It implies a sense of duty or a heavy workload.
How To Use It
You use the verb machen (to make/do) with the noun Überstunden. Since Überstunden is plural, you don't need an article like 'a' or 'the' usually. You can say ich mache Überstunden or er muss Überstunden machen. It fits perfectly into standard German sentence structures. You can also specify how many hours. For example, Ich habe heute zwei Überstunden gemacht. It is straightforward and very hard to mess up!
When To Use It
Use this phrase whenever you are stuck at the office. It is perfect for explaining why you are late to dinner. Use it when talking to your boss about your workload. It works well when venting to friends about a busy week. You can use it in professional emails or casual texts. It is the standard term for this situation across all of Germany. If you are working late, this is your go-to phrase.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for things that aren't 'work'. If you stay late at the gym, don't use it. If you spend extra time on a hobby, it doesn't fit. It specifically refers to professional labor or contractual obligations. Also, avoid using it if you are the boss and just choosing to stay. It usually implies a task that *needs* to be finished. Don't confuse it with Überstunden abbauen, which means taking time off later.
Cultural Background
Germans take their 'Feierabend' (end of work) very seriously. Work-life balance is a huge cultural pillar here. In some cultures, staying late shows you are a hard worker. In Germany, it can sometimes mean you weren't efficient enough. However, many companies track these hours precisely. There is even a system called Gleitzeit (flexible time). This allows you to 'collect' hours and take a whole day off later. It is a very organized way of being busy!
Common Variations
You will often hear Überstunden schieben. This is a bit more idiomatic and implies a bit of a grind. Another one is Überstunden anhäufen, which means to accumulate a lot of them. If you are lucky, you get to Überstunden abbummeln. That is a fun way to say you're using those hours to leave early. Finally, bezahlte Überstunden refers to those sweet, sweet paid extra hours.
Usage Notes
The phrase is universally understood and appropriate for all levels of formality. Just remember to conjugate the verb `machen` correctly for the subject.
The 'Feierabend' Rule
Germans love their free time. If you tell someone you're making `Überstunden`, they will likely respond with 'Oje!' (Oh dear!) because they value your leisure time as much as you do.
Verb Placement
If you use a modal verb like 'muss' (must), 'machen' goes to the very end: 'Ich muss heute Überstunden machen'.
Don't say 'Überzeit'
While 'overtime' translates literally to 'Überzeit' in some contexts, in a work setting, 99% of people will say `Überstunden`.
Examples
6Tut mir leid, ich muss heute Überstunden machen.
I'm sorry, I have to work overtime today.
A very common reason for missing a social event.
Hast du letzte Woche viele Überstunden gemacht?
Did you work many extra hours last week?
A standard way to check in on a coworker's stress level.
Herr Müller macht regelmäßig Überstunden, um Projekte abzuschließen.
Mr. Müller regularly works overtime to finish projects.
Used here to highlight dedication in a professional setting.
Ich habe diesen Monat schon zwanzig Überstunden gemacht!
I've already worked twenty hours of overtime this month!
Expressing frustration about a high workload.
Sein Hobby ist es wohl, Überstunden zu machen.
I guess his hobby is working overtime.
A sarcastic way to describe someone who is always at the office.
Werden die Überstunden am Monatsende ausgezahlt?
Will the overtime be paid out at the end of the month?
A direct question about financial compensation.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct verb form for 'ich'.
Ich ___ heute leider Überstunden machen.
The first person singular form of 'machen' is 'mache'.
Which word completes the phrase for 'working overtime'?
Muss er oft ___ machen?
'Überstunden machen' is the standard collocation used in German.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 'Überstunden machen'
Texting a friend about being late.
Muss Überstunden machen, bis später!
Talking to a colleague in the breakroom.
Ich mache heute Überstunden.
In a formal contract or HR meeting.
Überstunden müssen schriftlich angeordnet werden.
When to use 'Überstunden machen'
At the Office
Finishing a deadline late at night.
On the Phone
Explaining to your spouse why dinner is cold.
HR Department
Discussing your 'Zeitkonto' (time account).
Job Interview
Asking if overtime is common in the company.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, even if you only work one extra hour, you almost always use the plural Überstunden machen. You can specify eine Überstunde, but the general activity is plural.
No, Überstunden tun sounds very wrong. In German, you always 'make' (machen) overtime, never 'do' it with 'tun'.
The opposite is Überstunden abbauen. This means taking time off to balance out the extra hours you worked earlier.
Absolutely. It is a neutral, factual term. You can say: Ich habe diese Woche fünf Überstunden gemacht.
You say Ich mache gerade Überstunden. The word gerade helps indicate that it is happening at this very moment.
Not necessarily. Whether they are bezahlt (paid) or mit Freizeit ausgeglichen (compensated with time off) depends on your contract.
A common informal way to say it is Überstunden schieben. It sounds a bit more like you are 'pushing' through the work.
Usually no. For school or university, you would just say länger lernen (study longer). Überstunden is strictly for jobs.
Even freelancers use it! It helps them separate their 'planned' work time from the extra time they had to put in.
It’s mostly neutral, but because Germans value their free time, it often carries a slight tone of 'I'd rather be at home'.
Related Phrases
Feierabend machen (to finish work for the day)
Gleitzeit haben (to have flexible working hours)
Vollzeit arbeiten (to work full-time)
Die Arbeit niederlegen (to stop working/go on strike)
Schichtdienst haben (to work in shifts)
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