zu viel
too much
An excessive amount of something; more than is necessary, good, or desired.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe zu viel Kaffee getrunken und kann jetzt nicht schlafen.
I drank too much coffee and now I can't sleep.
zu viel
too much
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Meanings
jemandem zu viel werden
to become too much
A situation, task, or burden becomes unbearable or overwhelming for someone.
EXAMPLE
Der ganze Lärm und die Hektik in der Stadt werden mir langsam zu viel.
All the noise and hectic pace in the city are slowly becoming too much for me.
Usage tips
Structure and meaning
The combination of 'zu' (too) and 'viel' (much) always expresses excess. Here, 'zu' means 'more than is good or necessary.'
EXAMPLE
In diesem Kuchen ist zu viel Zucker.
There is too much sugar in this cake.
With uncountable nouns
'Zu viel' (too much) is used for things you cannot count, such as liquids, materials, or abstract concepts. It always remains unchanged and is not declined.
EXAMPLE
Er hat zu viel Geld für das alte Auto bezahlt.
He paid too much money for the old car.
Dative construction
In the expression 'jemandem zu viel werden' (to become too much for someone), the person who is overwhelmed is always in the dative. The thing that becomes too much is the subject of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Die Verantwortung wird ihm langsam zu viel.
The responsibility is slowly becoming too much for him.
Compare with
zu viel vs übertrieben
exaggerated
zu viel directly indicates that an amount or level exceeds a desired limit. übertrieben evaluates the same thing more as inappropriate or excessive. For a specific quantity, zu viel is therefore often suitable; for an evaluative reaction, übertrieben is more likely.
zu viel
Zehn Lichterketten sind für diesen kleinen Balkon zu viel.
Ten strings of lights are too much for this small balcony.
übertrieben
Zehn Lichterketten wirken auf diesem kleinen Balkon übertrieben.
Ten strings of lights seem excessive on this small balcony.
In real life
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