German word

Verwirrung

Pronunciation

IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈvɪʁʊŋ/

Meaning

  • feminine nounconfusion

Example

Wegen der Verwirrung blieben viele Menschen stehen.

Because of the confusion, many people stopped.

Illustration for Verwirrung (confusion)

More examples

Nach der Ankündigung fühlte sie ein Gefühl der Verwirrung.

After the announcement, she experienced a feeling of confusion.

Core concept

Several people stop because events have become a mental knot with no clear order or direction.

Common phrases

  • Verwirrung auslösen

    cause confusion

  • ein Gefühl der Verwirrung

    a feeling of confusion

  • zur Verwirrung beitragen

    contribute to confusion

Similar words

Unsicherheit: A lack of confidence about what to decide or do.
Durcheinander: A disorganized mix of things or information with no clear order.
Chaos: A severely disordered state in which order and control have broken down.
Ratlosigkeit: A feeling of being unable to decide what action to take.

Definition in German

Ein Gefühl oder Zustand von Unsicherheit und Ratlosigkeit, bei dem man Dinge nicht mehr richtig einordnen kann.

Word origin

The noun Verwirrung comes from verwirren plus -ung, naming the state or result of being made wirr, or disordered and confused.

Usage tips

  • Verwirrung means confusion or bewilderment, whereas Verwunderung means astonishment or wonder despite their similar appearance.

Other meanings

  • bewildermentnoun
  • perplexitynoun

Opposites

  • Klarheitclaritynoun
  • Durchblickinsightnoun

Related words

  • verwirrendconfusingadjective
  • verwirrtconfusedadjective

Word lists with this word