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.
overload
A state in which a technical system, device, or structure is subjected to more load or strain than it can handle safely or efficiently.
Die Überlastung des Stromnetzes führte zu einem großflächigen Stromausfall.
The overload of the power grid led to a widespread power outage.
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.
overload / being overwhelmed
Both words can describe a problematic state caused by having too many tasks. Überlastung places more emphasis on the excessive amount of work or stress. Überforderung emphasizes that the demands exceed a person’s abilities and that they can no longer cope with them.
Die vielen zusätzlichen Aufgaben führen bei Lea zu einer starken Überlastung.
The many additional tasks are causing Lea severe overload.
Weil Lea die neuen Anforderungen nicht bewältigen kann, erlebt sie eine starke Überforderung.
Because Lea cannot cope with the new demands, she is experiencing severe overwhelm.
