mortgage / burden
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mortgage
A loan usually taken out to buy real estate, with the property itself serving as security for the bank. It is a lien on real property.
Um das Haus zu finanzieren, mussten sie eine hohe Hypothek aufnehmen.
To finance the house, they had to take out a large mortgage.
In a financial context, 'Hypothek' (mortgage) is often combined with certain verbs. You can say 'eine Hypothek aufnehmen' (to take out a mortgage), 'abbezahlen' (to pay off), or 'tilgen' (to repay the debt).
Sie müssen die Hypothek für ihr Haus noch zwanzig Jahre lang abbezahlen.
They still have to pay off the mortgage on their house for another twenty years.
When you want to state what the mortgage is on, the preposition 'auf' is used with the accusative. So you say 'eine Hypothek auf das Haus' (a mortgage on the house).
Auf der Immobilie lastet noch eine hohe Hypothek.
There is still a large mortgage on the property.
In the figurative meaning, 'Hypothek' (burden) is often combined with adjectives such as 'schwer' (heavy), 'politisch' (political), or 'historisch' (historical). It then describes a problem that comes from the past.
Die ungelösten Umweltprobleme sind eine schwere Hypothek für zukünftige Generationen.
The unresolved environmental problems are a heavy burden for future generations.
The figurative meaning of 'Hypothek' (burden) is typical of elevated written language, especially in journalism and political discussions.
Der Skandal ist eine moralische Hypothek, die der Kandidat mit sich trägt.
The scandal is a moral burden that the candidate carries with him.
burden / load
'die Belastung' and 'die Hypothek' can both mean something heavy that restricts someone. 'Belastung' is general and can be emotional, financial, or practical. 'Hypothek' is first of all a word from the area of buying a house and banking. In a figurative sense, 'Hypothek' means a heavy burden from the past that makes the present or future more difficult. For normal stress, you would more likely say 'Belastung'. 'Hypothek' fits when an earlier problem still has long-lasting consequences.
Der Streit im alten Team ist eine Hypothek, weil die Zusammenarbeit noch immer schwierig ist.
The conflict in the old team is a burden because working together is still difficult.
Die hohen Kosten für die Wohnung werden für die Familie eine große Belastung.
The high costs for the apartment will become a major burden for the family.