die Altlast
Translation
contaminated site, legacy issue, old burden, environmental liability
Examples
Die Sanierung der Altlast ist teuer.
The cleanup of the contaminated site is expensive.
Das Unternehmen trägt eine finanzielle Altlast.
The company carries an old financial burden.
Grammar Patterns
to clean up ((sth.)) to clean up a contaminated site They have to clean up the Altlast.
to represent ((sth.)) to represent a legacy issue The old debts represent an Altlast.
Similar Words
Synonyms: Belastung (burden), Hypothek (mortgage); Antonyms: Chance (opportunity), Vermögen (asset)
Etymology
Composed of 'alt' (old) and 'Last' (burden, load). Literally means 'old burden'.
Memory Tips
Imagine an 'old load' (alt + Last) of pollution buried underground from the past, which is now a problem.