burden
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burden
A heavy psychological or emotional burden, a great responsibility, or a serious problem.
Die alleinige Verantwortung für das Unternehmen war eine große Bürde für ihn.
Being solely responsible for the company was a great burden for him.
The word 'Bürde' (burden) is related to the old verb 'gebären' (to bear/give birth), which originally also meant 'to carry'. So a 'Bürde' is literally something that one carries—whether a heavy box or a great responsibility.
Die Schulden seiner Eltern wurden für ihn zu einer schweren Bürde.
His parents' debts became a heavy burden for him.
In the figurative sense, 'Bürde' (burden) is often used with verbs such as 'tragen' (to bear/carry), 'darstellen' (to represent/constitute), or 'sein' (to be). Common adjectives are 'schwer' (heavy), 'groß' (great), or 'finanziell' (financial).
Die Pflege seiner Eltern war eine große Bürde, die er aber gerne trug.
Caring for his parents was a great burden, but one he gladly bore.
To express for whom something is a burden, the preposition 'für' (for) with the accusative is used very frequently. The construction is often: 'etwas ist eine Bürde für jemanden' (something is a burden for someone).
Die ständigen Reisen sind für mich mit der Zeit zu einer Bürde geworden.
Over time, the constant travel has become a burden for me.
The meaning of a physically carried load is rare today and often sounds elevated or poetic. It is found mainly in literary or historical texts.
Der alte Mann trug seine Bürde aus Feuerholz den steilen Pfad hinauf.
The old man carried his burden of firewood up the steep path.
problem
'das Problem' and 'die Bürde' can both mean something heavy or burdensome. 'Problem' is the general word for a difficulty that you have to solve, or for a worry. 'Bürde' is stronger and more emotional. It is often about a heavy responsibility or a burden that someone has to carry for a long time. Learners may confuse the words because a burden can also be a big problem. But not every problem is a burden. For normal difficulties, you usually say 'Problem'. 'Bürde' fits better when something feels heavy inside or means a lot of responsibility.
Nach dem Tod ihres Vaters trägt sie die Bürde, sich allein um die Familie zu kümmern.
After her father's death, she carries the burden of taking care of the family alone.
Das Problem mit der Aufgabe besprechen wir morgen im Unterricht.
We will discuss the problem with the assignment in class tomorrow.