obsessed / possessed
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obsessed with
To be so strongly absorbed by an idea, a person, or a thing that you can hardly think about anything else. It describes an extreme passion or fixation.
Sie ist wie besessen von ihrer Arbeit und macht kaum noch Pausen.
She is almost obsessed with her work and hardly takes any breaks anymore.
possessed
In a supernatural or religious sense, to be controlled by a spirit, demon, or foreign power.
In dem Horrorfilm war die Hauptfigur von einem bösen Geist besessen.
In the horror film, the main character was possessed by an evil spirit.
'Besessen' (obsessed/possessed) is the past participle of the verb 'besitzen' (to own/possess). The meaning comes from the idea that an idea or a spirit 'possesses' a person, that is, has control over them.
Er ist besessen von dem Gedanken, reich zu werden.
He is obsessed with the idea of becoming rich.
When 'besessen' (obsessed) describes a strong passion, it always takes the preposition 'von' (of/by) with the dative.
Meine Schwester ist völlig besessen von dieser neuen Musikgruppe.
My sister is completely obsessed with this new music group.
People are typically obsessed with an idea, a thought, work, a hobby, or a person.
Der Künstler war wie besessen von der Idee, das perfekte Bild zu malen.
The artist was almost obsessed with the idea of painting the perfect picture.
You can recognize the supernatural meaning from the context. It is used almost only in stories, films, or religious texts, often together with words like 'Geist' (spirit), 'Dämon' (demon), or 'Teufel' (devil).
Die Dorfbewohner glaubten, das alte Haus sei von Geistern besessen.
The villagers believed the old house was possessed by spirits.
crazy
Both words can express a very strong enthusiasm for a person or thing. “Verrückt nach” usually sounds playful or affectionate and is used as a fixed expression with “nach,” while “besessen von” suggests a more serious fixation. “Verrückt nach” often fits ordinary strong enthusiasm, whereas “besessen von” is more appropriate when someone thinks about it constantly.
Lena ist von dieser neuen Musikgruppe so besessen, dass sie an kaum etwas anderes denkt.
Lena is so obsessed with this new band that she can hardly think about anything else.
Lena ist verrückt nach dieser neuen Musikgruppe und hört ihre Lieder jeden Tag.
Lena is crazy about this new band and listens to their songs every day.
