German Conversation · Level 47
74 words
German word
übel
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈyːbl̩/
Meaning
- adjectivesick
Example
Mir ist übel.
I feel sick.
More examples
Beim Lesen im Bus wurde mir übel.
I felt sick while reading on the bus.
Core concept
A wave that turns the stomach can also label a person, act, or situation as deeply bad.
Common phrases
Mir ist übel
feel sick
Mir wird übel
become nauseous
Etwas macht mir übel
Something makes me feel sick
Similar words
schlecht: Feeling physically unwell because of stomach trouble or poor health.
unwohl: Feeling mildly drained, uneasy, and physically uncomfortable.
nauseös: Feeling sick with a noticeable urge to vomit.
Definition in German
körperliches Unwohlsein, vor allem Brechreiz oder starke Übelkeit, empfinden; umgangssprachlich etwas als sehr unangenehm oder schlimm einstufen.
Word origin
German übel continues Old High German ubil and the wider Germanic word family that also produced English evil, with bodily sickness and general badness as related senses.
Usage tips
- In Mir ist übel, mir is dative for the person experiencing nausea, so the usual German pattern is not a direct equivalent of English I am sick.