overload
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overload
A state in which a person is emotionally or mentally overwhelmed by too much work, stress, or too many tasks.
Nach monatelanger Überlastung im Job brauchte sie dringend eine Auszeit.
After months of overload at work, she urgently needed some time off.
The word is made up of the prefix 'über-' (too much), the noun 'die Last' (load/burden), and the ending '-ung'. So it literally means a 'too-much-load' or a load that is too heavy.
Die ständige Erreichbarkeit führt bei vielen zu einer mentalen Überlastung.
Constant availability leads to mental overload for many people.
'Die Überlastung' (overload) is the noun form of the verb 'überlasten' (to overload). When a system is overloaded, it is in a state of 'Überlastung' (overload).
Man sollte den Server nicht mit zu vielen Anfragen überlasten, um eine Überlastung zu vermeiden.
You should not overload the server with too many requests in order to avoid an overload.
You can recognize the meaning from the context: if people, stress, or work are being discussed, it refers to mental overwhelm. If the topic is technology, electricity, or networks, it refers to technical overload.
Wegen Überlastung im Job hat er sich krankgemeldet.
Because of overload at work, he called in sick.
In connection with people, one often speaks of 'mentaler' (mental), 'emotionaler' (emotional), or 'beruflicher Überlastung' (work-related overload). Common verbs are 'leiden unter' (to suffer from) or 'führen zu' (to lead to).
Er leidet seit Monaten unter starker Überlastung.
He has been suffering from severe overload for months.
In a technical context, 'Überlastung' (overload) often refers to 'das Netz' (the network/grid), 'das System' (the system), 'den Server' (the server), or 'die Leitung' (the line). A typical consequence is an 'Ausfall' (failure/outage) or 'Zusammenbruch' (collapse).
Eine Überlastung des Stromnetzes kann einen Blackout verursachen.
An overload of the power grid can cause a blackout.
stress
'der Stress' and 'die Überlastung' can both arise when someone has to do too much. 'Stress' generally describes the pressure and tension in a difficult situation. 'Überlastung' is stronger: a person then has so much work, responsibility, or pressure that they can hardly manage it anymore. The words are confused because a lot of stress can lead to overload. 'Stress' can be temporary, while 'Überlastung' sounds like a limit that has almost been, or already has been, crossed.
Nach Monaten ohne Pause zeigte Lena deutliche Zeichen von Überlastung.
After months without a break, Lena showed clear signs of overload.
Wegen der neuen Aufgabe hat Paul im Moment viel Stress.
Because of the new task, Paul has a lot of stress at the moment.