beladen

Meaning (English)

beladen is a verb meaning to load something (often a vehicle, ship, person, or container) with goods, cargo, luggage, etc.
It can also be used figuratively to mean burdened/loaded with something (e.g., worries, guilt).

Common forms:

• etw. beladen = to load something
• mit etw. beladen = loaded with something
• Participle: beladen (e.g., ein beladener LKW = a loaded truck)

Word parts

• be-: a prefix often making the verb transitive (directed toward an object; “to do something to/with something”)
• laden: “to load” (as in loading cargo)

So beladen literally conveys “to load (something) up / to load (something) with cargo”.

Synonyms (German)

Depending on context:

• laden (to load)
• aufladen (to load up; also “to charge” devices)
• befrachten (to freight; load for transport, more formal)
• aufpacken (to pack onto something)
• (figurative) belasten (to burden)

Antonyms (German)

• entladen (to unload)
• abladen (to unload, take off cargo)
• (figurative) entlasten (to relieve, unburden)

Multiple meanings / usage notes

1. Literal (transport/cargo):
   Der LKW ist mit Holz beladen. = The truck is loaded with wood.

2. Figurative (burdened):
   Er ist mit Sorgen beladen. = He is burdened with worries.