belasten
to burden
To put someone under psychological or emotional pressure or cause them worry.
EXAMPLE
Die ständige Ungewissheit über seine Zukunft belastet ihn sehr.
The constant uncertainty about his future is burdening him greatly.
belasten
to burden / charge
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Meanings
belasten
to load / burden
To place a physical weight or load on something.
EXAMPLE
Die alte Brücke darf nicht mehr mit schweren LKW belastet werden.
The old bridge may no longer be loaded with heavy trucks.
belasten
to charge
To apply an amount of money to an account so that it is debited.
EXAMPLE
Wir werden Ihr Konto mit dem fälligen Betrag belasten.
We will charge your account with the amount due.
belasten
to incriminate
To make someone suspected of or accused of a crime through a statement or evidence.
EXAMPLE
Der Zeuge hat den Angeklagten mit seiner Aussage schwer belastet.
The witness seriously incriminated the defendant with his statement.
belasten
to pollute / burden
To contaminate or harm the environment or an organism with pollutants.
EXAMPLE
Die Abgase der Fabrik belasten die Luft in der Umgebung.
The factory's exhaust fumes are polluting the air in the surrounding area.
Usage tips
Word structure
'Belasten' (to burden/load/charge) is an inseparable verb derived from 'die Last' (the burden/load). The prefix 'be-' turns it into a verb meaning 'to place a burden on something or someone.'
EXAMPLE
Diese schwere Kiste belastet den Tisch zu sehr.
This heavy box is putting too much weight on the table.
Sentence structure and usage
The verb 'belasten' (to burden/load/charge) always requires an accusative object (burden whom or what?). The cause or means of the burden is often introduced with the preposition 'mit' (with).
EXAMPLE
Der Skandal hat den Ruf des Politikers stark belastet.
The scandal seriously damaged the politician's reputation.
Context clue: abstract vs. concrete
The meaning of 'belasten' (to burden/load/charge) depends strongly on context. It can be a concrete burden (weight, money, pollutants) or an abstract one (worries, guilt, stress). Pay attention to the nouns in the sentence to recognize the meaning.
EXAMPLE
Die Sorgen um seinen Job belasten ihn sehr. (abstrakt)
The worries about his job are burdening him greatly. (abstract)
Typical collocations (emotional)
In a psychological context, 'belasten' (to burden) is often used with people or relationships as the object. Typical formulations are 'jemanden seelisch belasten' (to burden someone emotionally), 'eine Freundschaft belasten' (to strain a friendship), or 'eine Situation belastet jemanden' (a situation burdens someone).
EXAMPLE
Der Streit hat ihre Freundschaft schwer belastet.
The argument seriously strained their friendship.
Context: finance
In a financial context, the object is almost always 'das Konto' (the account) or 'die Kreditkarte' (the credit card). It means that money is debited.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Einkauf wurde meine Kreditkarte mit 200 Euro belastet.
After the purchase, my credit card was charged 200 euros.
Context: law
In a legal context, 'belasten' (to incriminate) means to accuse someone through a statement or evidence. Signal words are 'Zeuge' (witness), 'Angeklagter' (defendant), 'Aussage' (statement), or 'Beweise' (evidence).
EXAMPLE
Die neuen Beweise belasten den Verdächtigen schwer.
The new evidence seriously incriminates the suspect.
Context: environment
In an environmental context, 'belasten' (to pollute/burden) means to contaminate something with pollutants. Typical objects are 'die Umwelt' (the environment), 'die Luft' (the air), 'das Wasser' (the water), or 'der Boden' (the soil).
EXAMPLE
Pestizide belasten das Grundwasser und die Böden.
Pesticides pollute the groundwater and the soil.
Compare with
beschäftigendrückenbeschwerenbeeinträchtigenbeanspruchenbeladenanstrengenbedrängenzusetzenzumutenbedrückenlastenverschmutzenabbuchen
belasten vs beschäftigen
to occupy / employ
A topic beschäftigt someone when it makes them think and does not let go of them; this can be neutral or unpleasant. If it belastet someone, it clearly causes emotional pressure or worry. When the effect is explicitly negative, belasten is therefore the better choice.
belasten
Die ungeklärte Frage belastet ihn so sehr, dass er kaum schläft.
The unresolved question is weighing on him so heavily that he can hardly sleep.
beschäftigen
Die ungeklärte Frage beschäftigt ihn seit mehreren Tagen.
The unresolved question has been on his mind for several days.
In real life
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