überfüllt

Überfüllt is a German adjective meaning overcrowded or filled beyond capacity. It describes spaces, venues, or objects that contain more people or items than what is comfortable or safe. Common contexts include public transport (eine überfüllte U-Bahn), events, shops, or rooms such as trains, buses, and halls.

The term implies a situation of strain or discomfort due to high occupancy and is stronger than simply voll (full). It is used with sein: Der Zug ist überfüllt, or to modify nouns: eine überfüllte Straße, eine überfüllte Wartehalle. The corresponding noun is die Überfüllung.

Etymology: from über- (over) + füllen (to fill). It appears in various German-speaking contexts, including news reports, urban planning discussions, and everyday speech.

Context and implications: Overcrowding can result from high demand, urban density, tourism, or events. It affects comfort, service quality, safety, and evacuation times. Authorities may implement crowd management measures, capacity limits, or scheduling changes to reduce overcrowding and improve flow.

See also: Überfüllung; Kapazität; Dichte.