contamination / legacy burden
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contaminated site
Environmental contamination on a piece of land that comes from previous use and poses a danger to health or the environment.
Die Sanierung der industriellen Altlast auf dem Gelände wird Millionen kosten.
The remediation of the industrial contaminated site on the property will cost millions.
legacy burden
In a figurative sense, an unresolved problem or burden from the past that negatively affects the present.
Das Unternehmen kämpft immer noch mit finanziellen Altlasten aus den Neunzigerjahren.
The company is still struggling with financial legacy burdens from the 1990s.
The word is made up of 'alt' (old) and 'die Last' (the burden). So it literally describes an 'old burden' or an 'old problem,' which fits both environmental contamination and figurative problems from the past.
Alte Schulden können zu einer schweren Last werden.
Old debts can become a heavy burden.
The meaning is easy to recognize from context. If the topic is land, soil, remediation, or the environment, the literal meaning is intended. With topics like finances, history, or personal problems, the figurative meaning is intended.
Auf dem alten Fabrikgelände wurden giftige Altlasten im Boden gefunden.
Toxic contamination was found in the soil on the old factory site.
In the figurative meaning, 'Altlast' (legacy burden) is often combined with adjectives like 'finanziell' (financial), 'historisch' (historical), or 'emotional' (emotional). Typical verbs are 'aufarbeiten' (to work through), 'beseitigen' (to eliminate), or 'bewältigen' (to cope with).
Der neue Chef muss die finanziellen Altlasten seines Vorgängers aufarbeiten.
The new boss has to work through his predecessor's financial legacy burdens.
luggage / baggage
Gepäck and Altlast can both refer to a burden from the past. Gepäck emphasizes that a person carries these experiences or problems with them internally, while Altlast refers more to an unresolved problem that continues to affect the present. Choose between them based on whether the person or the problem is the focus.
Der alte Streit ist für die Familie noch immer eine belastende Altlast.
The old dispute is still a burdensome legacy for the family.
Er trägt das ungelöste Problem aus seiner Vergangenheit noch als persönliches Gepäck mit sich.
He still carries the unresolved problem from his past as personal baggage.
