die Last
load
A physical weight that has to be carried or transported.
EXAMPLE
Der Wanderer trug eine schwere Last auf seinem Rücken.
The hiker carried a heavy load on his back.
die Last
burden / load
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Meanings
die Last
burden
A psychological or emotional burden, a worry, or a difficult responsibility that feels oppressive.
EXAMPLE
Die Verantwortung für die ganze Familie war eine große Last für sie.
The responsibility for the whole family was a great burden for her.
jemandem zur Last fallen
to be a burden
To become a burden or problem for someone, so that this person has to take care of things.
EXAMPLE
Er wollte nach seiner Krankheit auf keinen Fall seinen Kindern zur Last fallen.
After his illness, he absolutely did not want to be a burden to his children.
die Last
financial burden
A financial obligation, such as debts or regular costs, that represents a burden.
EXAMPLE
Die monatlichen Raten für das Haus sind eine erhebliche finanzielle Last.
The monthly payments for the house are a considerable financial burden.
Usage tips
False friend
Careful: 'die Last' means 'burden' or 'load'. It is a common mistake to confuse it with the English word 'last' (German: 'letzt-').
EXAMPLE
Die schwere Kiste war eine große Last.
The heavy box was a great burden.
Context clue
The literal meaning (weight) is often recognizable from verbs like 'tragen' (to carry) or 'heben' (to lift). The figurative meaning (burden/strain) is usually used with abstract nouns like 'Verantwortung' (responsibility), 'Sorgen' (worries), or 'Kosten' (costs).
EXAMPLE
Der Kran hob die schwere Last vom Schiff.
The crane lifted the heavy load from the ship.
Typical collocations
In the figurative sense, 'Last' (burden) is often used metaphorically. Typical phrases are 'eine Last von den Schultern nehmen' (to take a burden off someone's shoulders), 'eine seelische Last sein' (to be an emotional burden), or 'eine Last mit sich herumtragen' (to carry a burden around with oneself).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Gespräch fühlte er sich, als wäre ihm eine Last von den Schultern gefallen.
After the conversation, he felt as if a burden had been lifted from his shoulders.
Dative construction
The fixed expression 'jemandem zur Last fallen' (to be a burden to someone) always uses the dative. The person who becomes the burden is the subject of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Im Alter möchte sie ihren Kindern nicht zur Last fallen.
In old age, she does not want to be a burden to her children.
Compare with
Last vs Belastung
burden / load
Last and Belastung can both refer to a difficult psychological or emotional situation. Belastung is the more neutral term for pressure or strain, whereas Last emphasizes more strongly the oppressive feeling of a worry or responsibility. Choose Last when the weight of the difficulty is especially palpable.
Last
Die Verantwortung für seine Familie war für ihn eine schwere Last.
The responsibility for his family was a heavy burden for him.
Belastung
Die ständige Unsicherheit war für sie eine große psychische Belastung.
The constant uncertainty was a major psychological strain for her.
In real life
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