abundance / excess
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abundance / excess
A state in which there is more of something, for example money, food, or goods, than is needed. It can be meant both positively (wealth) and negatively (waste).
Wir leben in einer Gesellschaft des Überflusses und sollten bewusster konsumieren.
We live in a society of abundance and should consume more consciously.
in abundance
A fixed expression meaning that something is available in a very large quantity.
Auf der Feier gab es Essen und Trinken im Überfluss.
At the celebration, there was food and drink in abundance.
The word is made up of 'über' (over) and 'Fluss' (flow/river). Figuratively, it describes a state in which something flows beyond normal limits—that is, more than enough is present.
Der materielle Überfluss in unserer Gesellschaft ist nicht immer ein Segen.
The material abundance in our society is not always a blessing.
To say what there is too much of, you use the preposition 'an' followed by the dative. The structure is: 'ein Überfluss an etwas (Dativ)' (an abundance of something in the dative).
Es herrscht kein Überfluss an qualifizierten Arbeitskräften.
There is no abundance of qualified workers.
The expression 'im Überfluss' (in abundance) is used like an adverb to express that something exists in a very large quantity. It is often used with the verbs 'geben' (to be/there is) or 'haben' (to have).
Bei der Ernte dieses Jahr gab es Äpfel im Überfluss.
At the harvest this year, there were apples in abundance.
Common expressions are 'im Überfluss leben' (to live in abundance), to describe wealth, or 'ein Überfluss an Informationen' (an excess of information), which can also have a negative meaning.
Manche Menschen träumen davon, im Überfluss zu leben.
Some people dream of living in abundance.
wealth / abundance
Reichtum and Überfluss can describe a very large quantity of material goods. Reichtum primarily means extensive and valuable possessions, whereas Überfluss explicitly emphasizes having more than is needed and can also suggest waste. Use Überfluss when having a surplus is the decisive point.
Im Lager gab es Getreide im Überfluss, mehr als die Menschen brauchten.
There was grain in abundance at the warehouse, more than the people needed.
Der Reichtum des Landes zeigte sich in seinen großen Getreidevorräten.
The country's wealth was evident in its large grain reserves.
