der  Überfluss

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈyːbɐˌflʊs/

🤔 What does 'der Überfluss' mean?

Der Überfluss is a German noun that means 'abundance', 'excess', 'surplus', or 'plenty'. It describes a state where there is more of something than is needed or necessary. While it can simply mean 'abundance', it often carries a slight connotation of 'too much' or 'superfluity', sometimes implying waste.

The word always takes the masculine article: der.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar: A closer look at 'der Überfluss'

Der Überfluss is a masculine noun. It is primarily used in the singular because it often represents an uncountable concept. A plural form (die Überflüsse) is very rare and usually used figuratively or in specific contexts.

💡 Examples

1. Wir leben in einer Gesellschaft des Überflusses.
   (We live in a society of abundance.)
2. Der plötzliche Reichtum führte zu einem Leben im Überfluss.
   (The sudden wealth led to a life of excess/plenty.)
3. Ein Überfluss an Informationen kann überwältigend sein.
   (An excess of information can be overwhelming.)

💬 Usage: When to use 'Überfluss'

Überfluss is typically used to describe having too much of something:

• Material Wealth: "Sie leben im Überfluss." (They live in abundance/luxury.)
• Resources: "Es gibt einen Überfluss an Nahrungsmitteln." (There is a surplus of food.)
• Information/Data: "Der heutige Informations-Überfluss ist ein Problem." (Today's information overload/excess is a problem.)
• Time: (Less common) "Im Ruhestand hatte er Zeit im Überfluss." (In retirement, he had an abundance of time / time to spare.)

It differs slightly from 'die Fülle' (plenty, richness), which is often more neutral or positive. Überfluss more strongly emphasizes the idea of 'more than necessary' or even 'too much'.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Überfluss'

Article Mnemonic: Think of a river ('der Fluss' in German). Rivers are often masculine in German (der Rhein, der Main). An Über-Fluss is a river that's overflowing – it has too much water. So, it's der Überfluss.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine something flowing over the top ('über' means over) because there's too much. Like an overflowing river ('Fluss'). That's Überfluss – overflowing abundance or excess.

↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Watch out: Don't confuse Überfluss (excess) with Überdruss (weariness, satiety, being fed up with something).

😂 A little Joke

German: Warum hat der Millionär Angst vor dem Alphabet?
Weil er fürchtet, nach dem Überfluss kommt der Überdruss!

English Translation: Why is the millionaire afraid of the alphabet?
Because he fears that after abundance/excess (Überfluss) comes weariness/being fed up (Überdruss)! (It's a wordplay on the similar sound and the sequence implied).

📜 A little Poem

German:
Wo alles fließt und nie versiegt,
Der Überfluss die Sinne wiegt.
Mal Segen und mal schwere Last,
Wenn mehr da ist, als du erfasst.
Ein Meer aus Haben, ohne Strand,
Hältst du zu viel fest in der Hand?

English Translation:
Where everything flows and never runs dry,
Abundance weighs upon the senses.
Sometimes a blessing, sometimes a heavy load,
When more is there than you comprehend.
A sea of having, without a shore,
Do you hold too much within your hand?

❓ A little Riddle

German:
Ich bin mehr als genug, oft zu viel des Guten.
Manchmal ein Segen, manchmal lässt man mich verbluten (im Sinne von Verschwendung).
Ich fließe über, wie ein voller Fluss.
Was bin ich?

English Translation:
I am more than enough, often too much of a good thing.
Sometimes a blessing, sometimes I'm left to bleed out (in the sense of being wasted).
I overflow, like a full river.
What am I?
(Answer: der Überfluss / abundance, excess)

🧩 Other Insights

Word Formation: The word is composed of the prefix 'über-' (indicating 'over', 'too much', 'beyond a measure') and the noun 'der Fluss' (the river). Figuratively: more is flowing than the riverbed can hold.

Cultural Aspects: The concept of Überfluss plays a role in many societies and philosophies, often linked to questions of justice, sustainability, and the good life.