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B1 noun #6,500 le plus courant 8 min de lecture

Unruhe

Top 6,500

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces Unruhe en 30 secondes

Explication Unruhe in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of 'Unruhe' as the opposite of 'Ruhe' (quiet/peace). If a room is not quiet because people are moving around, there is 'Unruhe'. You might hear a teacher say 'Ruhe bitte!' (Quiet please!) because there is 'Unruhe' in the class. At this stage, just remember that 'Unruhe' means it is not peaceful or quiet. It is a feminine noun, so we say 'die Unruhe'. You can use it in simple sentences like 'Es gibt Unruhe' (There is unrest/noise). You don't need to know the complex political meanings yet. Just focus on the idea of a lack of calm. For example, if you are nervous, you can say 'Ich habe Unruhe', though 'Ich bin nervös' is more common for beginners. The word is made of 'un-' (not) and 'Ruhe' (peace/rest), which makes it easy to remember.

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At the A2 level, you start to use 'Unruhe' to describe feelings and situations more specifically. You might use it to describe why you can't sleep: 'Ich hatte gestern viel Unruhe' (I had a lot of restlessness yesterday). You also begin to see it in descriptions of groups. If a group of people is talking and moving, you can say 'In der Gruppe ist viel Unruhe'. You should also notice the adjective 'unruhig' (restless/disturbed), which comes from the noun. 'Das Kind ist unruhig' (The child is restless). At this level, you are moving beyond simple noise to the idea of an 'agitated state'. You might hear it in news headlines about small protests or changes in a company. It's important to start using the correct article 'die' and seeing how it fits with verbs like 'haben' or 'geben'.

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At the B1 level, 'Unruhe' becomes a very useful word for expressing nuanced emotions and social situations. You should be able to distinguish between 'innere Unruhe' (inner restlessness/anxiety) and 'äußere Unruhe' (external disturbance). This is the level where you learn the plural 'Unruhen', which refers to political or social riots. You will encounter this word often in German media. You should also start using collocations like 'Unruhe stiften' (to cause unrest) or 'Unruhe verbreiten' (to spread unrest). If you are talking about your health, you might tell a doctor, 'Ich verspüre eine ständige Unruhe'. You are expected to understand that 'Unruhe' is a state that can be felt, seen, or created. It is a key word for describing the atmosphere of a place or the mental state of a person under stress.

At the B2 level, you use 'Unruhe' with more sophisticated verbs and in more abstract contexts. You might talk about 'politische Unruhen' or 'soziale Unruhen' in a discussion about history or current events. You understand that 'Unruhe' can be a symptom of a larger problem, such as 'wirtschaftliche Unruhe' (economic unrest). You should be comfortable using the word in the genitive or dative cases, such as 'Trotz der Unruhe blieb er gelassen' (Despite the unrest, he remained calm). You also start to recognize the word in literature or higher-level journalism, where it might describe a 'geistige Unruhe' (intellectual restlessness) or a 'kreative Unruhe' (creative agitation). Your vocabulary should now include related terms like 'beunruhigen' (to worry/disturb) and 'beunruhigend' (disturbing).

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At the C1 level, you appreciate the subtle connotations of 'Unruhe'. You can use it to describe complex social dynamics or philosophical states. For instance, you might analyze the 'Unruhe der Moderne' (the restlessness of modernity) or the 'produktive Unruhe' in a scientific field. You understand the technical use of 'Unruhe' as the balance wheel in a watch, using it as a metaphor for something that creates order through constant movement. You can use the word in formal writing to describe 'zivile Unruhen' (civil unrest) with precision. Your ability to use 'Unruhe' in combination with abstract concepts is high. You might say, 'Die Nachricht löste eine Welle der Unruhe an den Märkten aus' (The news triggered a wave of unrest in the markets). You are also aware of the historical context of the word in German history, such as the 'Märzunruhen'.

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At the C2 level, 'Unruhe' is a tool for precise and evocative expression. You use it to capture the 'Zeitgeist' or deep psychological states. You might discuss the 'existenzielle Unruhe' in the works of Kafka or the 'ästhetische Unruhe' of a painting. You are capable of using the word in all its metaphorical glory, understanding that 'Unruhe' is not just a lack of peace, but a fundamental human condition or a necessary catalyst for change. You can navigate the finest distinctions between 'Unruhe', 'Agitiertheit', 'Turbulenz', and 'Dissens'. In a high-level debate, you might speak of 'die schleichende Unruhe in der Bevölkerung' (the creeping unrest among the population) or the 'systemische Unruhe' within a financial structure. Your command of the word is native-like, allowing you to use it with perfect tone and register in any context, from poetry to political science.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

Unruhe en 30 secondes

Unruhe means restlessness or disturbance.
It is a feminine noun: die Unruhe.
Internal: anxiety or fidgeting; External: noise or riots.
Plural 'Unruhen' specifically refers to political or social unrest.

The German noun Unruhe is a versatile and deeply evocative term that translates primarily to restlessness, disquiet, or agitation. At its core, it describes a lack of 'Ruhe' (peace, quiet, or calm). In the German linguistic landscape, Unruhe is not merely a single state but a spectrum of conditions ranging from a mild nervous twitch before an exam to large-scale civil disturbances in a metropolis. When you use this word, you are signaling a disruption of the natural or desired equilibrium. It is used in psychological contexts to describe a person's inner turmoil, in physical contexts to describe a vibrating machine or a fidgety child, and in political contexts to describe social upheaval.

Inner Psychological State: This refers to 'innere Unruhe,' a common complaint in medical and psychological circles. It is that feeling of being 'on edge' or unable to sit still, often associated with anxiety or stress. For example, 'Er verspürte eine tiefe Unruhe vor dem Vorstellungsgespräch' (He felt a deep restlessness before the job interview).

Die ständige Unruhe in der Klasse machte es dem Lehrer schwer, den Stoff zu vermitteln.

Social and Political Contexts: In the plural form, 'Unruhen' specifically refers to riots, civil unrest, or disturbances. It suggests a collective lack of peace within a society. 'Nach der Wahl kam es in der Hauptstadt zu schweren Unruhen' (After the election, heavy riots occurred in the capital).

Trotz der äußeren Stille fühlte sie eine wachsende Unruhe in ihrer Brust.

Mechanical and Technical Use: In horology (the study of clocks), the 'Unruhe' is the balance wheel. It is the part that oscillates back and forth to keep time. This is a beautiful metaphor: the very thing that represents 'restlessness' is what creates the order and rhythm of time.

Die Unruhe der Uhr tickte gleichmäßig im leeren Zimmer.

Es gab politische Unruhen im ganzen Land.

In summary, whether you are talking about the jitters before a date, the noise in a classroom, or the social upheaval of a revolution, 'Unruhe' is your go-to word. It captures the essence of anything that is not at rest, making it a vital part of the B1 vocabulary and beyond.

Using 'Unruhe' correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as a noun and the common verbs it pairs with. It is almost always used with the definite article 'die' or in its plural form 'Unruhen'. Here we explore the different syntactical environments where 'Unruhe' thrives.

With Verbs of Perception: Verbs like 'spüren' (to feel), 'bemerken' (to notice), or 'verspüren' (to sense) are frequently used. Example: 'Ich spüre eine gewisse Unruhe in mir.' This emphasizes the internal, subjective experience of restlessness.

Der Redner bemerkte die wachsende Unruhe im Publikum und kürzte seinen Vortrag.

With Verbs of Causation: Verbs like 'stiften' (to cause/instigate), 'verursachen' (to cause), or 'verbreiten' (to spread) are used when 'Unruhe' is the result of an action. Example: 'Seine Worte stifteten viel Unruhe unter den Mitarbeitern' (His words caused much unrest among the employees).

Die Nachricht von den Entlassungen verbreitete sofort Unruhe im Werk.

Die Polizei versuchte, die Unruhen in der Innenstadt unter Kontrolle zu bringen.

With Verbs of Existence: Verbs like 'herrschen' (to prevail/exist) or 'bestehen' (to exist) describe a state. 'In der Firma herrscht seit Wochen Unruhe' (There has been unrest in the company for weeks).

Es herrschte eine seltsame Unruhe vor dem großen Sturm.

When constructing sentences, pay attention to the adjective endings. Since 'Unruhe' is feminine, you will see 'große Unruhe', 'ständige Unruhe', or 'politische Unruhe'. In the dative case (e.g., after 'mit'), it remains 'Unruhe' but the article changes: 'Mit großer Unruhe erwartete sie das Ergebnis.'

'Unruhe' is a high-frequency word that appears in several distinct domains of German life. Recognizing these contexts will help you decode the speaker's intent immediately.

In the News (Tagesschau/Spiegel): You will hear 'Unruhen' (plural) almost daily in international news reporting. Phrases like 'bürgerkriegsähnliche Unruhen' (civil war-like unrest) or 'soziale Unruhen' (social unrest) are standard journalistic shorthand for protests that have turned violent or chaotic.

Die Unruhen in der Region halten nun schon die dritte Woche an.

In the Workplace: In a corporate setting, 'Unruhe' often refers to employee dissatisfaction or uncertainty, usually following a change in management or rumors of layoffs. A boss might say: 'Wir müssen die Unruhe in der Belegschaft ernst nehmen' (We must take the unrest among the workforce seriously).

Die Umstrukturierung hat viel Unruhe in die Abteilung gebracht.

Es ist zu viel Unruhe im Haus, ich kann mich nicht konzentrieren.

Medical and Health Contexts: Doctors and pharmacists frequently discuss 'nervöse Unruhe' (nervous restlessness). You will see this on the packaging of herbal sedatives like Valerian or Lavender oil, marketed to help with sleep or stress.

Leiden Sie unter Einschlafstörungen oder innerer Unruhe?

Whether it's the 'Unruhe' of a ticking clock, the 'Unruhe' of a restless night, or the 'Unruhen' of a street protest, the word is an essential tool for describing anything that deviates from a state of calm. Pay attention to how often it describes a feeling rather than a physical sound.

Learning 'Unruhe' involves navigating a few pitfalls, particularly regarding its plural form and its distinction from similar-sounding or similar-meaning words.

Confusing 'Unruhe' with 'Lärm' (Noise): While 'Unruhe' can involve noise (like in a classroom), it refers to the *state* of disturbance, whereas 'Lärm' refers specifically to the acoustic volume. If kids are running around, it is 'Unruhe'. If they are screaming, it is 'Lärm'.

Falsch: Der Unruhe der Baustelle ist zu laut. (Korrekt: Der Lärm...)

Misusing the Plural 'Unruhen': English speakers often try to pluralize 'restlessness' as 'restlessnesses', which doesn't work. In German, 'Unruhen' exists but changes meaning to 'riots' or 'disturbances'. Don't say 'Ich habe viele Unruhen' if you mean you are very nervous.

Korrekt: Er leidet unter großer Unruhe. (Singular for personal feelings)

Die ständige Unruhe in seinem Bein verriet seine Nervosität.

Gender Errors: Some learners assume abstract nouns ending in '-e' might be masculine or neuter. 'Unruhe' is strictly feminine. 'Das Unruhe' or 'Der Unruhe' are incorrect.

Die Unruhe legte sich erst nach Stunden.

Finally, avoid confusing 'Unruhe' with 'Aufregung' (excitement). 'Aufregung' can be positive (like before a birthday), but 'Unruhe' is almost always neutral or negative, implying a lack of stability or peace.

To truly master 'Unruhe', you should know how it compares to its synonyms. German has several words for 'disturbance' or 'nervousness', each with its own flavor.

Unruhe vs. Aufregung: 'Aufregung' is excitement or agitation. It can be positive (joyful anticipation) or negative (anger). 'Unruhe' is more about a lack of calm and is rarely positive. You feel 'Aufregung' before a party, but 'Unruhe' before a surgery.

In der Stadt herrschte große Unruhe wegen der neuen Gesetze.

Unruhe vs. Besorgnis: 'Besorgnis' is concern or worry. It is a purely mental state. 'Unruhe' can be physical (fidgeting) or social (riots). You might have 'Besorgnis' about the future, which leads to 'Unruhe' in your daily life.

Seine Unruhe war für jeden im Raum sichtbar.

Die politische Unruhe führte schließlich zum Sturz der Regierung.

Unruhe vs. Tumult: 'Tumult' is a more intense, noisy, and chaotic version of 'Unruhe'. It is usually short-lived and very physical. 'Unruhe' can be a long-lasting, simmering state of tension.

Nach dem Tor gab es Unruhe in der Fankurve.

Choosing the right word depends on whether the disturbance is internal (Unruhe, Besorgnis), external (Lärm, Tumult), or situational (Hektik, Aufregung). 'Unruhe' is the most general and widely applicable of these terms.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The 'Unruhe' in a watch is called that because it never stops moving. It is the 'restless' part that ensures the watch stays 'calmly' on time.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ˈʊnˌʁuːə/

US /ˈunˌruə/

Primary stress on the first syllable: UN-ru-he.

Rime avec

Truhe (chest) Schuhe (shoes) Buhe (archaic/rare) Kuh-e (not a word, but similar ending to 'Kuh') Ruhe (peace) Buh-e (rare) Zufuhr (similar vowel, different ending) Schmu-he (rare)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'h' (it is silent).
Stressing the second syllable (RU-he).
Making the 'u' too long without the 'un-' prefix sound.
Merging it with 'Unruhen' in contexts where singular is needed.
Mispronouncing the final 'e' as 'ee' instead of a schwa.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 3/5

Easy to recognize if you know 'Ruhe'.

Écriture 4/5

Requires knowledge of adjective endings and plural shifts.

Expression orale 4/5

The 'r' and 'u' sounds can be tricky for English speakers.

Écoute 3/5

Distinctive sound, usually clear in context.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

Ruhe un- stiften spüren politisch

Apprends ensuite

beunruhigen Gelassenheit Aufruhr Demonstration Angstzustand

Avancé

Agitiertheit Perturbation Eskapismus Zeitgeist

Grammaire à connaître

Prefix 'un-'

Ruhe -> Unruhe, Glück -> Unglück

Nouns ending in '-e'

Most are feminine like die Unruhe, die Liebe.

Plural of abstract nouns

Unruhe (feeling) vs. Unruhen (events).

Genitive with 'wegen'

Wegen der Unruhe (Because of the unrest).

Adjective declension (Feminine)

Große Unruhe, einer großen Unruhe.

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Exemples par niveau

Es gibt viel Unruhe in der Klasse.

There is a lot of unrest/noise in the class.

Unruhe is feminine: die Unruhe.

Ich habe heute eine kleine Unruhe.

I have a little restlessness today.

Singular use for a feeling.

Bitte keine Unruhe!

Please, no unrest/noise!

Imperative-like phrase.

Die Unruhe ist weg.

The restlessness/noise is gone.

Subject of the sentence.

Warum ist hier so viel Unruhe?

Why is there so much unrest/noise here?

Question with 'so viel'.

Die Kinder machen Unruhe.

The children are making noise/disturbing.

Verb 'machen' + Unruhe.

Ich brauche Ruhe, keine Unruhe.

I need peace, not unrest.

Contrast between Ruhe and Unruhe.

Hör auf mit der Unruhe!

Stop with the restlessness/noise!

Dative case after 'mit'.

Das Baby hat eine große Unruhe.

The baby is very restless.

Adjective 'große' matches feminine 'Unruhe'.

Nach dem Kaffee fühlte er eine Unruhe.

After the coffee, he felt a restlessness.

Verb 'fühlen' used with the noun.

In der Stadt gibt es politische Unruhe.

There is political unrest in the city.

Adjective 'politische'.

Wegen der Unruhe konnte ich nicht schlafen.

Because of the restlessness, I couldn't sleep.

Genitive case after 'wegen'.

Die Unruhe in der Firma wächst.

The unrest in the company is growing.

Verb 'wachsen' (to grow).

Er hat eine innere Unruhe.

He has an inner restlessness.

Common collocation: 'innere Unruhe'.

Die Nachricht brachte Unruhe in die Familie.

The news brought unrest into the family.

Verb 'bringen' + 'in'.

Es herrscht Unruhe vor dem Spiel.

There is unrest/excitement before the game.

Verb 'herrschen' (to prevail).

Die Polizei befürchtet neue Unruhen.

The police fear new riots/unrest.

Plural 'Unruhen' means riots.

Sein Verhalten stiftete viel Unruhe unter den Kollegen.

His behavior caused a lot of unrest among colleagues.

Collocation 'Unruhe stiften'.

Trotz der Unruhen blieb die Grenze offen.

Despite the riots, the border remained open.

Genitive plural 'der Unruhen'.

Ich verspüre eine gewisse Unruhe, wenn ich an die Prüfung denke.

I feel a certain restlessness when I think of the exam.

Verb 'verspüren' (to sense/feel).

Die ständige Unruhe in seinem Bein ist ein Symptom.

The constant restlessness in his leg is a symptom.

Physical manifestation of Unruhe.

Die Ankündigung verbreitete Unruhe auf dem Markt.

The announcement spread unrest in the market.

Verb 'verbreiten' (to spread).

Wir müssen die Ursache für diese Unruhe finden.

We must find the cause for this unrest.

Noun 'Ursache' (cause).

Die Unruhe der Uhr beruhigte ihn seltsamerweise.

The balance wheel of the clock calmed him strangely.

Technical meaning: balance wheel.

Die sozialen Unruhen führten zu Reformen.

The social unrest led to reforms.

Plural 'Unruhen' as a historical/social driver.

In der Bevölkerung macht sich Unruhe breit.

Unrest is spreading among the population.

Reflexive phrase 'sich breit machen'.

Die Unruhe im Team ist auf mangelnde Kommunikation zurückzuführen.

The unrest in the team is due to a lack of communication.

Passive structure 'zurückzuführen auf'.

Er konnte seine Unruhe kaum verbergen.

He could hardly hide his restlessness.

Verb 'verbergen' (to hide).

Die politische Unruhe destabilisiert die gesamte Region.

Political unrest is destabilizing the entire region.

Verb 'destabilisieren'.

Meditation hilft gegen innere Unruhe.

Meditation helps against inner restlessness.

Preposition 'gegen' + accusative.

Es gab heftige Unruhen nach der Bekanntgabe der Ergebnisse.

There were violent riots after the announcement of the results.

Adjective 'heftige' (violent/intense).

Die Unruhe ist ein Zeichen für den Wandel.

The unrest is a sign of change.

Metaphorical use.

Die geistige Unruhe des Autors spiegelt sich in seinen Werken wider.

The author's intellectual restlessness is reflected in his works.

Abstract 'geistige Unruhe'.

Die Marktunruhe wurde durch spekulative Geschäfte befeuert.

The market unrest was fueled by speculative trades.

Compound noun 'Marktunruhe'.

Solche Unruhen sind oft Vorboten einer Revolution.

Such riots are often precursors to a revolution.

Noun 'Vorboten' (precursors).

Die Unruhe im physikalischen System deutet auf eine Instabilität hin.

The disturbance in the physical system indicates instability.

Technical/Scientific context.

Es bedarf einer Klärung, um die Unruhe zu beseitigen.

It requires clarification to eliminate the unrest.

Verb 'beseitigen' (to eliminate).

Die Unruhe der Seele findet im Glauben ihren Frieden.

The restlessness of the soul finds its peace in faith.

Poetic/Religious context.

Die Unruhen griffen auf die Nachbarstädte über.

The riots spread to the neighboring cities.

Verb 'übergreifen auf' (to spread to).

Trotz der Unruhe im Saal blieb der Redner souverän.

Despite the unrest in the hall, the speaker remained confident.

Adjective 'souverän' (confident/masterful).

Die Unruhe ist das Movens jeglicher kultureller Entwicklung.

Restlessness is the driving force of any cultural development.

Philosophical use of 'Movens'.

In der Unruhe des Augenblicks verlor er sein Ziel aus den Augen.

In the agitation of the moment, he lost sight of his goal.

Temporal context.

Die Unruhen des 18. Jahrhunderts ebneten den Weg für die Demokratie.

The upheavals of the 18th century paved the way for democracy.

Historical 'Unruhen'.

Es herrscht eine latente Unruhe, die jederzeit eskalieren könnte.

There is a latent unrest that could escalate at any time.

Adjective 'latente' (hidden/dormant).

Die Unruhe der Partikel lässt sich bei absoluten Nullpunkt nicht mehr feststellen.

The agitation of the particles can no longer be detected at absolute zero.

Scientific precision.

Sie kultivierte ihre Unruhe als Quelle ihrer Inspiration.

She cultivated her restlessness as a source of her inspiration.

Reflexive use of 'kultivieren'.

Die Unruhen wurden durch eine gezielte Desinformationskampagne geschürt.

The riots were stoked by a targeted disinformation campaign.

Verb 'schüren' (to stoke/fuel).

Die Unruhe der Moderne manifestiert sich in der ständigen Erreichbarkeit.

The restlessness of modernity manifests in constant availability.

Sociological analysis.

Collocations courantes

innere Unruhe

Unruhe stiften

Unruhe verbreiten

politische Unruhen

Unruhe herrscht

in Unruhe versetzen

wachsende Unruhe

nervöse Unruhe

Unruhe beseitigen

soziale Unruhen

Phrases Courantes

Ruhe vor dem Sturm

— A calm period before a big disturbance.

Es ist zu leise, das ist die Ruhe vor dem Sturm.

In der Ruhe liegt die Kraft

— Strength lies in calmness.

Reg dich nicht auf, in der Ruhe liegt die Kraft.

Keine Unruhe aufkommen lassen

— To prevent any unrest from starting.

Der Chef wollte keine Unruhe aufkommen lassen.

Jemanden in Unruhe bringen

— To make someone worried or restless.

Deine Verspätung hat mich in Unruhe gebracht.

Die Unruhe legt sich

— The unrest is subsiding.

Nach dem Gewitter legte sich die Unruhe.

Ein Herd der Unruhe

— A source or center of unrest.

Die Grenzregion ist ein ständiger Herd der Unruhe.

Unruhe in die Sache bringen

— To complicate or disturb a situation.

Deine Fragen bringen nur Unruhe in die Sache.

Von Unruhe getrieben sein

— To be driven by restlessness.

Er war sein ganzes Leben von Unruhe getrieben.

In ständiger Unruhe leben

— To live in constant agitation.

Die Menschen dort leben in ständiger Unruhe.

Die Unruhe der Zeit

— The agitation of the current era.

Er schrieb über die Unruhe der Zeit.

Souvent confondu avec

Unruhe vs Lärm

Lärm is acoustic noise; Unruhe is a state of disturbance.

Unruhe vs Stress

Stress is the cause; Unruhe is the jittery feeling.

Unruhe vs Angst

Angst is fear; Unruhe is restlessness/agitation.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Hummeln im Hintern haben"

— To be very restless and unable to sit still (like having bumblebees in one's butt).

Das Kind hat heute wieder Hummeln im Hintern.

Informal

"Auf glühenden Kohlen sitzen"

— To be very restless/anxious while waiting for something.

Ich sitze auf glühenden Kohlen wegen des Ergebnisses.

Neutral

"Wie auf Eiern gehen"

— To act cautiously because of a tense situation (unrest).

In der Firma gehen momentan alle wie auf Eiern.

Neutral

"Den Teufel an die Wand malen"

— To cause unrest by predicting the worst.

Mal nicht den Teufel an die Wand!

Informal

"Staub aufwirbeln"

— To cause a stir or unrest.

Seine Entdeckung wirbelte viel Staub auf.

Neutral

"Öl ins Feuer gießen"

— To make an unrestful situation worse.

Deine Kommentare gießen nur Öl ins Feuer.

Neutral

"Die Wogen glätten"

— To calm down unrest.

Er versuchte, nach dem Streit die Wogen zu glätten.

Neutral

"Einen Sturm im Wasserglas entfachen"

— To cause great unrest over something minor.

Das Ganze ist nur ein Sturm im Wasserglas.

Neutral

"Das Blut in Wallung bringen"

— To cause excitement or agitation.

Die Musik brachte sein Blut in Wallung.

Literary

"Außer Rand und Band sein"

— To be out of control/restless.

Die Kinder waren nach der Party außer Rand und Band.

Informal

Facile à confondre

Unruhe vs Unruhe

Sounds like 'Ruhe'

It is the exact opposite (Un-Ruhe).

Ich will Ruhe, nicht Unruhe!

Unruhe vs Aufregung

Both mean agitation.

Aufregung can be positive (excitement); Unruhe is usually neutral or negative.

Die Aufregung vor Weihnachten ist schön.

Unruhe vs Hektik

Both involve a lack of calm.

Hektik is specifically about being in a rush or having too much to do.

Die Hektik am Morgen ist schlimm.

Unruhe vs Tumult

Both mean disturbance.

Tumult is much louder and more physical than Unruhe.

Ein Tumult brach in der Bar aus.

Unruhe vs Besorgnis

Both can be internal.

Besorgnis is 'worry' (mental); Unruhe is 'restlessness' (mental or physical).

Ich habe Besorgnis wegen der Zukunft.

Structures de phrases

Es gibt [Adjektiv] Unruhe.

Es gibt viel Unruhe.

Ich habe [Adjektiv] Unruhe.

Ich habe eine große Unruhe.

Jemand stiftet Unruhe.

Er stiftet immer Unruhe.

Ich verspüre [Adjektiv] Unruhe.

Ich verspüre eine innere Unruhe.

Die Unruhen führen zu [Dativ].

Die Unruhen führen zu Problemen.

Sich Unruhe breit machen.

In der Firma macht sich Unruhe breit.

Trotz der [Genitiv] Unruhe...

Trotz der politischen Unruhe...

Die Unruhe als [Nomen] begreifen.

Die Unruhe als Motor des Fortschritts begreifen.

Famille de mots

Noms

Ruhe

Unruhestifter

Unruheherd

Beunruhigung

Verbes

ruhen

beunruhigen

ausruhen

Adjectifs

ruhig

unruhig

beunruhigend

Apparenté

Frieden

Angst

Stress

Bewegung

Zappeln

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Common in both daily life and news.

Erreurs courantes

Der Unruhe → Die Unruhe
Unruhe is a feminine noun.
Ich bin Unruhe. → Ich bin unruhig. / Ich habe Unruhe.
You use the adjective with 'sein' or the noun with 'haben'.
Die Unruhe war sehr laut. → Der Lärm war sehr laut.
Use 'Lärm' for volume, 'Unruhe' for the state of disturbance.
Es gab viele Unruhen in meinem Kopf. → Es gab viel Unruhe in meinem Kopf.
Use singular for internal feelings.
Er stiftete Unruhig. → Er stiftete Unruhe.
You need the noun after the verb 'stiften'.

Astuces

The Watch Metaphor

Remember that a watch's balance wheel is called 'Unruhe'. It's always moving, just like a restless person.

Always Feminine

Think of 'die Unruhe' like 'die Liebe' or 'die Freiheit'. Abstract nouns ending in -e are usually feminine.

Stiften vs. Verbreiten

Use 'stiften' if someone is deliberately causing trouble, and 'verbreiten' if the unrest is spreading like a rumor.

Ruhezeit

Germans love their 'Ruhe'. Anything that breaks it is 'Unruhe', and it's often taken seriously.

Innere Unruhe

If you feel jittery, tell a German doctor 'Ich habe innere Unruhe'. They will understand immediately.

Plural for Riots

When you see 'Unruhen' in a headline, it almost always means protests or riots.

Fidgeting

A child who can't sit still has 'Unruhe'. It's a very common way to describe physical restlessness.

Unruhe vs. Hektik

Use 'Hektik' for time pressure and 'Unruhe' for the feeling of being disturbed.

Compound Words

German loves compounds. 'Unruheherd' (center of unrest) is a great word for essays.

Silent H

Ignore the 'h' when listening. Focus on the long 'u' sound.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'Un-' as 'Undo' and 'Ruhe' as 'Rest'. If you 'Undo Rest', you have Unruhe (restlessness).

Association visuelle

Imagine a ticking clock's balance wheel (the Unruhe) shaking back and forth, or a person with 'Hummeln im Hintern' (bumblebees in their butt) unable to sit still.

Word Web

Ruhe unruhig beunruhigen Unruhen Frieden Stress Angst Bewegung

Défi

Try to use 'Unruhe' in three different ways today: once for a feeling, once for a noise, and once for a news event.

Origine du mot

Formed from the prefix 'un-' (negation) and the noun 'Ruhe' (rest/peace). The root 'Ruhe' comes from Middle High German 'ruowe' and Old High German 'ruowa', meaning rest or silence.

Sens originel : A state of not being at rest; lack of peace.

Germanic.

Contexte culturel

Be careful when using 'Unruhen' (plural) to describe protests; it can sometimes sound dismissive of the political goals, focusing only on the chaos.

English uses 'unrest' mainly for political situations, whereas German 'Unruhe' is much more common for personal feelings of anxiety.

Die Unruhe (The Balance Wheel) - a metaphor in German literature. Märzunruhen (March Revolutions) in German history. Innere Unruhe - a common theme in Romantic poetry (e.g., Goethe, Heine).

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

At the Doctor

Ich habe innere Unruhe.
Haben Sie etwas gegen Unruhe?
Ich schlafe schlecht wegen der Unruhe.
Ist diese Unruhe gefährlich?

In the News

Es kam zu Unruhen.
Die Unruhen weiten sich aus.
Die Polizei beendete die Unruhen.
Ursache der Unruhen war...

At School

Es ist zu viel Unruhe in der Klasse.
Bitte vermeidet Unruhe.
Die Unruhe stört den Unterricht.
Wer stiftet hier Unruhe?

In a Relationship

Deine Unruhe macht mich nervös.
Warum bist du so voller Unruhe?
Wir brauchen mehr Ruhe, weniger Unruhe.
Lass uns die Unruhe vergessen.

At Work

Die Kündigungen verursachten Unruhe.
Die Unruhe im Team ist groß.
Wir müssen die Unruhe dämpfen.
Es herrscht Unruhe wegen der Fusion.

Amorces de conversation

"Hast du manchmal auch diese innere Unruhe ohne Grund?"

"Was tust du, wenn es in deinem Büro zu viel Unruhe gibt?"

"Glaubst du, dass die politischen Unruhen in der Welt zunehmen?"

"Wie findest du Ruhe, wenn du voller Unruhe bist?"

"Hat dich die Unruhe vor deiner letzten Prüfung sehr gestört?"

Sujets d'écriture

Beschreibe eine Situation, in der du große innere Unruhe verspürt hast. Was war der Auslöser?

Denkst du, dass Unruhe auch etwas Positives sein kann? Kann sie uns motivieren?

Wie unterscheidet sich die Unruhe in einer Großstadt von der Ruhe auf dem Land?

Schreibe über eine historische Unruhe, die die Welt verändert hat.

Was sind deine besten Tipps, um Unruhe im Alltag zu vermeiden?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Usually, yes. It implies a lack of peace. However, in mechanics (watches), it is a neutral technical term. In art, 'kreative Unruhe' can be seen as a positive drive.

Unruhe (singular) is usually a feeling or a general state of noise. Unruhen (plural) specifically refers to riots or civil disturbances.

No. You say 'Ich habe Unruhe' or 'Ich bin unruhig' (adjective).

Use 'die Unruhen' for multiple events of civil unrest. 'Die Unruhen in den 60er Jahren waren heftig.'

A troublemaker. Someone who intentionally causes unrest in a group.

Yes, it is often used by Germans to describe symptoms of anxiety or hyperthyroidism.

It can mean the noise caused by people moving around, but 'Lärm' is the better word for loud sounds.

You don't. It is a 'Dehnungs-h' which only serves to make the 'u' long.

Volatility or nervousness in financial markets.

Yes, you can say 'Die Unruhe der Großstadt'.

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