to overwhelm
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to overwhelm
To demand more from someone or something than they or it can manage, so that the person or thing reaches their limits.
Der neue Chef neigt dazu, seine Mitarbeiter mit zu vielen Aufgaben zu überfordern.
The new boss tends to overwhelm his employees with too many tasks.
The word is made up of the prefix 'über-' (over-/too much) and the verb 'fordern' (to demand). The prefix 'über-' here means 'too much', so literally 'to demand too much'.
Die Menge an Informationen kann neue Lernende schnell überfordern.
The amount of information can quickly overwhelm new learners.
'Überfordern' (to overwhelm) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'über-' is not separated from the verb stem in any sentence form.
Sie überfordert ihre Kinder mit zu hohen Erwartungen.
She overwhelms her children with expectations that are too high.
The past participle 'überfordert' (overwhelmed) is very often used like an adjective to describe the state of being overwhelmed. It often follows the verb 'sein' (to be) or 'sich fühlen' (to feel).
Nach acht Stunden Arbeit fühle ich mich total überfordert.
After eight hours of work, I feel totally overwhelmed.
To express what someone is overwhelmed by, the preposition 'mit' (with/by) is used followed by a noun in the dative.
Der Praktikant war mit der Verantwortung völlig überfordert.
The intern was completely overwhelmed by the responsibility.
When a person expects too much of themselves, the verb is used reflexively with 'sich' (oneself). The reflexive pronoun is in the accusative.
Wenn du weiterhin 60 Stunden pro Woche arbeitest, überforderst du dich.
If you keep working 60 hours a week, you will overburden yourself.
to demand / challenge
'fordern' and 'überfordern' can both mean that a task needs energy, attention, or skill. The important difference is the limit. 'fordern' is often neutral or even positive: a task is difficult and requires effort. 'überfordern' means that it is too much and someone cannot manage it well. You can also overburden yourself with 'sich überfordern' when you take on too many tasks. The words are easy to confuse because both have to do with effort. Memory aid: 'fordern' means: it is demanding. 'überfordern' means: it is too much.
Mit drei Projekten gleichzeitig überfordert sie sich im Moment.
With three projects at the same time, she is overburdening herself at the moment.
Der neue Kurs fordert viel Konzentration, aber Max lernt dabei schnell.
The new course demands a lot of concentration, but Max is learning quickly from it.