Some words carry more weight than others — literally and emotionally. Learning how to say burden in German helps you express everything from a heavy backpack to psychological stress or social injustice. It's a powerful word that belongs in every learner’s toolkit.
The word is die Last. It’s feminine, and the plural is die Lasten. If you’re still getting comfortable with genders and articles, check out my gender video lesson for a solid foundation.
Last is one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German, and it shows up in law, logistics, daily life, and feelings.
Examples in all four cases:
Nominative:
Die Last war zu schwer für ihn.
The burden was too heavy for him.
Accusative:
Ich trage die Last allein.
I carry the burden alone.
Dative:
Mit der Last konnte sie nicht mehr umgehen.
She couldn’t cope with the burden anymore.
Genitive:
Die Ursache der Last war unbekannt.
The cause of the burden was unknown.
Real-World Tips for Learners
Last is often physical:
eine schwere Last – a heavy burden
die Last tragen – to carry the burden
die Last abladen – to unload the burden
unter der Last zusammenbrechen – to collapse under the burden
But it’s also very common in emotional or abstract contexts:
seelische Last – emotional burden
Verantwortung als Last – responsibility as a burden
eine Last auf den Schultern – a burden on one’s shoulders
You might also encounter it in compound words:
Lastwagen – truck (literally “burden vehicle”)
Steuerlast – tax burden
Pflicht und Last – duty and burden
Lastschrift – direct debit (a financial “withdrawal burden”)
Tip: Don't confuse Last with Lust! Last is about weight and pressure; Lust means desire or pleasure. A very different vibe.
Beginner dialogue using Last:
A: Warum siehst du so erschöpft aus?
B: Ich habe das Gefühl, eine große Last zu tragen.
A: Why do you look so exhausted?
B: I feel like I’m carrying a heavy burden.
Now it’s your turn. Think of your answer and say it aloud using Last.
“Welche Last empfindest du manchmal im Alltag — und wie gehst du damit um?”
What burden do you sometimes feel in daily life — and how do you handle it?
Speak your answer out loud and try to use Last naturally in your sentence.
German Word of the Day
Now you know how to say burden in German — and how die Last helps you describe weight, stress, and life’s heavier moments.
Download the free illustrated PDF of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German to keep your learning light but meaningful.
Ready for more German Words of the Day?
Check out Leiter — and learn how to avoid confusing climbing gear with your boss.
Or revisit Lektion — and build structure into your study habits.