die Belastung
burden
A psychological or emotional strain or pressure that is experienced as heavy and unpleasant.
EXAMPLE
Der Stress bei der Arbeit ist für ihn eine große Belastung.
The stress at work is a major burden for him.
die Belastung
burden / load
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
die Belastung
load
A physical force, weight, or pressure acting on an object, a structure, or the body.
EXAMPLE
Die Brücke wurde auf ihre maximale Belastung getestet.
The bridge was tested for its maximum load.
die Belastung
financial burden
A financial obligation or expense that reduces a budget or assets.
EXAMPLE
Die monatliche Kreditrate stellt eine erhebliche finanzielle Belastung dar.
The monthly loan payment represents a significant financial burden.
die Belastung
contamination / exposure
The presence of harmful substances in the environment, in food, or in the body.
EXAMPLE
Die Belastung des Gemüses mit Pestiziden war zum Glück sehr gering.
Fortunately, the contamination of the vegetables with pesticides was very low.
Usage tips
Word structure
'Die Belastung' (burden/load) comes from the verb 'belasten' (to burden/load), which is derived from the noun 'die Last' (the load/burden). So the basic meaning is always that something acts like a burden or a weight.
EXAMPLE
Die ständige Sorge ist eine große seelische Belastung für sie.
The constant worry is a great emotional burden for her.
Use with 'für'
'Belastung' is very often used in the structure 'eine Belastung für jemanden/etwas sein' (to be a burden for someone/something). The preposition 'für' with the accusative indicates who or what is affected by the burden.
EXAMPLE
Die hohen Heizkosten sind eine große Belastung für die Familie.
The high heating costs are a major burden for the family.
Psychological burden
In a psychological or emotional context, 'Belastung' is often combined with adjectives such as 'emotional' (emotional), 'psychisch' (psychological), or 'seelisch' (emotional/mental). It then describes stress or worries.
EXAMPLE
Der Lärm von der Baustelle ist eine tägliche Belastung für die Anwohner.
The noise from the construction site is a daily burden for the residents.
Physical load
In a physical or technical sense, 'Belastung' describes a weight or a force. For example, people speak of the 'maximale Belastung' (maximum load) of a bridge or the 'körperliche Belastung' (physical strain) during sports.
EXAMPLE
Sportler müssen auf die richtige Belastung beim Training achten.
Athletes have to pay attention to the right load during training.
Financial burden
When it is about money, 'Belastung' is often used with the adjective 'finanziell' (financial). It describes costs, debts, or expenses that are hard to bear.
EXAMPLE
Der Hauskredit ist die größte finanzielle Belastung für uns.
The home loan is the biggest financial burden for us.
Contamination with pollutants
In an environmental or health context, the preposition 'mit' is often used to name the pollutant. Typical phrases are 'die Belastung mit Pestiziden' (contamination with pesticides) or 'die Belastung durch Feinstaub' (exposure to fine particulate matter).
EXAMPLE
Die Belastung der Luft mit Feinstaub ist in der Stadt sehr hoch.
The air pollution with fine particulate matter is very high in the city.
Compare with
Belastung vs kosten
to cost / taste
Both words can refer to regular payments. „Kosten“ states the price of something, while a financial „Belastung“ describes the effect of this expense on the budget or assets. Say „Das Abo kostet …“ for the price and „Die Zahlung ist eine Belastung“ for the financial impact.
Belastung
Die monatliche Zahlung von 50 Euro ist für unser Budget eine Belastung.
The monthly payment of 50 euros is a burden on our budget.
kosten
Das monatliche Nahverkehrsabo kostet 50 Euro.
The monthly public transportation pass costs 50 euros.
In real life
Loading video examples...