überladen
to overload
To put too much weight or cargo on a vehicle, ship, or animal.
EXAMPLE
Der Lastwagen war so stark überladen, dass die Reifen fast platzten.
The truck was so badly overloaded that the tires almost burst.
überladen
to overload
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
überladen
to overload
To equip something with too many details, ornaments, or pieces of information, so that it seems overcrowded or confusing.
EXAMPLE
Die Benutzeroberfläche der Software ist mit zu vielen Knöpfen und Menüs völlig überladen.
The software's user interface is completely overloaded with too many buttons and menus.
überladen
to overload
In object-oriented programming, this refers to defining several methods or functions with the same name but different parameters (signature).
EXAMPLE
In Java ist es üblich, Konstruktoren zu überladen, um Objekte auf verschiedene Weisen initialisieren zu können.
In Java, it is common to overload constructors in order to initialize objects in different ways.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
The verb 'überladen' (to overload) is inseparable. The prefix 'über-' stays firmly attached to the verb 'laden' (to load) in all sentence forms and is not placed at the end of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Er überlädt den Anhänger mit zu viel Holz.
He overloads the trailer with too much wood.
Participle as adjective
The past participle 'überladen' is very often used as an adjective to describe a state. It then means 'too full' or 'overcrowded.'
EXAMPLE
Der Text ist mit Fremdwörtern völlig überladen.
The text is completely overloaded with foreign words.
Context clues
You can recognize the meaning from the context: If it is about vehicles and weight, the literal meaning is intended. If it is about design, texts, or rooms, the figurative meaning 'overcrowded' is intended. In the context of software development, it has a special technical meaning.
EXAMPLE
Das Schiff darf nicht mit mehr als 200 Tonnen überladen werden.
The ship must not be overloaded with more than 200 tons.
Register: technical language
The meaning in programming is purely technical language. Outside IT contexts, this use is not understood.
EXAMPLE
In dieser Programmiersprache kann man Operatoren nicht überladen.
In this programming language, you cannot overload operators.
Compare with
überladen vs überlasten
to overload
Both verbs can be used for a vehicle carrying cargo that is too heavy, but they emphasize different aspects. Überladen refers to loading too large a quantity, whereas überlasten emphasizes the vehicle’s resulting excess load and exceeded weight limit. Use überladen when referring to the loading process and überlasten when referring to the consequence.
überladen
Die Spedition überlud den Lastwagen mit zu vielen schweren Kisten.
The shipping company overloaded the truck with too many heavy crates.
überlasten
Die schwere Fracht überlastete den Lastwagen auf der langen Strecke.
The heavy cargo overloaded the truck during the long journey.
In real life
Loading video examples...