Überlastete

Überlastete is a German adjective meaning "overloaded" or "overburdened." It derives from über- (over) and laden (to load), through the verb überladen/überlasten. The form is typically used attributively before a noun or attributively after a definite article.

In attributive position, the ending of the adjective agrees with gender and number. For singular nouns after a definite article, the form is überlastete: die überlastete Maschine, der überlastete Fahrer, das überlastete Kind. In plural, the adjective takes the ending -en: die überlasteten Maschinen, die überlasteten Fahrer. Without a definite article, strong endings are used, so you would find expressions like überlastete Maschinen or überlastete Menschen in a general sense.

Predicative use is common with the short form, where the adjective appears after a linking verb, as in Die Maschine ist überlastet or Die Straßen sind überlastet. In this predicative position the form is typically überlastet rather than überlastete.

Context and usage: überlastete is used across domains to describe excessive load or strain on physical objects, systems, or people. Examples include überlastete Maschinen (overloaded machines), überlastete Server (overloaded servers), überlastete Straßen (congested roads), and überlastete Mitarbeitende (overburdened staff). The term often connotes disadvantage and strain, making it common in technical, economic, and social discussions.

See also: Überlastung (overload), überladen (to overload), Überlastungshaft (historical/legal terms in some contexts).