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.
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.
need
'Bedarf' and 'Überfluss' are clear opposites. 'Bedarf' means that something is needed or still missing. 'Überfluss' means that more is available than is needed. So the difference is the quantity in relation to what is needed: with 'Bedarf', something is not yet sufficient or is required; with 'Überfluss', there is too much or a very large amount. For example, people may have a need for food, but in another place there is food in abundance.
Auf der Feier gab es Essen im Überfluss.
At the party, there was food in abundance.
Nach dem Umzug besteht noch Bedarf an einigen Möbeln.
After the move, there is still a need for some furniture.