stressful / incriminating
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stressful
Something that causes psychological or emotional pressure, worries, or stress.
Die Pflege ihrer kranken Mutter war für sie eine sehr belastende Situation.
Caring for her sick mother was a very stressful situation for her.
incriminating
In the legal sense: evidence or statements that suggest or support a person's guilt.
Die Staatsanwaltschaft präsentierte belastendes Videomaterial.
The prosecution presented incriminating video material.
'Belastend' (stressful / incriminating) is the present participle of the verb 'belasten' (to burden / incriminate). The verb is derived from the noun 'die Last' (the burden). So something that is 'belastend' figuratively places a burden on your soul or shoulders.
Die ständigen Sorgen sind für ihn sehr belastend.
The constant worries are very stressful for him.
If you want to express for whom a situation is psychologically difficult, you use the preposition 'für' followed by a person in the accusative.
Die lange Krankheit war für die ganze Familie eine belastende Zeit.
The long illness was a stressful time for the whole family.
In the psychological sense, 'belastend' (stressful) is often combined with abstract nouns. Common collocations are 'eine belastende Situation' (a stressful situation), 'ein belastendes Erlebnis' (a distressing experience), 'belastende Gedanken' (distressing thoughts), or 'eine belastende Vergangenheit' (a difficult past).
Er versucht, die belastenden Erinnerungen an den Unfall zu verarbeiten.
He is trying to process the distressing memories of the accident.
You can recognize the legal meaning 'schuldverstärkend' (incriminating) from the context. If the text mentions 'Beweise' (evidence), 'Material' (material), 'Aussagen' (statements), 'Zeugen' (witnesses), or the 'Staatsanwaltschaft' (prosecution), this meaning is intended.
Die Polizei fand belastende Beweismittel in der Wohnung des Verdächtigen.
The police found incriminating evidence in the suspect's apartment.
heavy / difficult
Both schwer and belastend can describe a difficult, oppressive period. Schwer characterizes the period generally as painful or filled with worry. Belastend emphasizes more clearly its effect on a person: it causes psychological pressure, worry, or stress.
Die Zeit nach der Trennung war für sie psychisch sehr belastend.
The period after the breakup was very stressful for her psychologically.
Nach der Trennung erlebte sie eine schwere Zeit.
After the breakup, she went through a difficult time.
