German word

Unruhe

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʊnˌʁuːə/

Meaning

  • feminine nounrestlessness

Example

Im Unterricht war die Unruhe des Kindes deutlich.

The child's restlessness was apparent during the lesson.

Illustration for Unruhe (restlessness)

More examples

Die Ärztin bemerkte Anzeichen von Unruhe.

The doctor noticed signs of anxiety.

Core concept

A quiet surface broken by nervous movement, whether inside a person or across a group.

Common phrases

  • Anzeichen von Unruhe

    signs of anxiety

  • Unruhe unter den Anwohnern

    anxiety among local residents

  • Unruhe bekämpfen

    combat anxiety

Similar words

Nervosität: A nervous, uneasy feeling caused by tension or worry.
Aufregung: An excited, stirred-up state caused by an event or strong anticipation.
Anspannung: A sustained state of physical or mental tension.
Unbehagen: A mild feeling of discomfort or unease that makes relaxation difficult.

Definition in German

Fehlen innerer oder äußerer Ruhe; bezeichnet nervöse, unruhige Zustände.

Word origin

Unruhe was formed by adding the negative prefix un- to Ruhe, a native Germanic word whose Old High German form was ruowa.

Usage tips

  • In the fixed expression Unruhe stiften, stiften takes an accusative object and the phrase means to cause disruption.

Other meanings

  • anxietynoun
  • agitationnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • unruhiguneasyadjective
  • unruhestiftendcausing anxietyadjective

Word lists with this word