das Übermaß
excess
An amount or intensity that goes well beyond what is normal or appropriate.
EXAMPLE
Ein hoher Zuckerkonsum führt schnell zu einem Übermaß an Kalorien.
High sugar consumption quickly leads to an excess of calories.
das Übermaß
excess
das Übermaß
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Meanings
im Übermaß
in excess
In an excessively large or inappropriate amount; excessively.
EXAMPLE
Alkohol ist im Übermaß gesundheitsschädlich.
Alcohol is harmful to your health in excess.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Übermaß, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| genitive | des Übermaßes |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Übermaß | – |
| accusative | das Übermaß | – |
| dative | dem Übermaß | – |
| genitive | des Übermaßes | – |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Übermaß' (excess) is made up of 'über' (beyond) and 'Maß' (measure). The word makes it clear that an amount or intensity exceeds an appropriate limit.
EXAMPLE
Ein Übermaß an Ehrgeiz kann zu großer Enttäuschung führen.
An excess of ambition can lead to great disappointment.
Typical collocations
'Übermaß' (excess) is frequently used with 'an' (of) to indicate what there is too much of. Typical combinations include 'ein Übermaß an Bürokratie' (an excess of bureaucracy), 'ein Übermaß an Gewalt' (an excess of violence), and 'ein Übermaß an Arbeit' (an excess of work).
EXAMPLE
Ein Übermaß an Bürokratie erschwert die Arbeit kleiner Unternehmen.
An excess of bureaucracy makes work harder for small businesses.
Fixed expression
'Im Übermaß' (in excess) is used as an adverbial phrase, often with activities or behaviors. It describes something being done to an excessive degree.
EXAMPLE
Wer Schmerzmittel im Übermaß einnimmt, kann seiner Gesundheit schaden.
People who take painkillers in excess can harm their health.
In real life
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