heavyweight
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heavyweight
The highest weight class in certain combat sports such as boxing, wrestling, or weightlifting.
Der Boxer kämpft im Schwergewicht und wiegt über 91 Kilogramm.
The boxer fights as a heavyweight and weighs over 91 kilograms.
'Schwergewicht' (heavyweight) is a compound made from the adjective 'schwer' (heavy) and the noun 'das Gewicht' (weight). Its literal meaning is therefore simply 'a high weight'.
Der Transport des Schwergewichts erforderte einen Speziallastwagen.
Transporting the heavyweight required a special truck.
The meaning is easy to recognize from context. In a sports context (e.g., boxing), it means a weight class. In business or politics, it refers to an influential person or thing. In everyday language, it is often literally a heavy object.
Der amtierende Weltmeister kämpft im Schwergewicht.
The reigning world champion fights as a heavyweight.
Even when 'Schwergewicht' (heavyweight) can refer to a male person (e.g., a boxer), the grammatical gender of the word always remains neuter: 'das Schwergewicht'. So you say: 'Er ist ein Schwergewicht' (He is a heavyweight).
Der neue Parteivorsitzende ist ein politisches Schwergewicht.
The new party leader is a political heavyweight.
In the figurative meaning, 'Schwergewicht' (heavyweight) is often combined with the area in which the influence exists. Typical phrases are 'ein Schwergewicht in/der...' (a heavyweight in/of...) or 'ein politisches/wirtschaftliches Schwergewicht' (a political/economic heavyweight).
Die Autorin ist ein Schwergewicht der deutschen Gegenwartsliteratur.
The author is a heavyweight of contemporary German literature.
burden / load
'die Last' and 'das Schwergewicht' can both have to do with great weight. 'Last' means something that has to be carried, lifted, or transported. The focus is on the fact that it is heavy or difficult for someone. 'Schwergewicht' more often means a particularly heavy object or a particularly heavy load. It sounds stronger and emphasizes the high weight. Learners may confuse the words because both describe something heavy. In practice: if someone has to carry something, 'Last' often fits. If you want to say that something is especially heavy, 'Schwergewicht' fits better.
Der alte Tresor ist ein echtes Schwergewicht und lässt sich kaum bewegen.
The old safe is a real heavyweight and can hardly be moved.
Die Last auf dem Fahrradanhänger war zu schwer für den steilen Weg.
The load on the bicycle trailer was too heavy for the steep path.