die
Beunruhigung
😥 What does "die Beunruhigung" mean?
Die Beunruhigung (feminine noun) describes a state of inner unrest, worry, anxiety, or disquiet. It's the feeling when something seems wrong, or when one is concerned about future events or existing situations. It can range from mild nervousness to stronger anxiety.
The word derives from the verb beunruhigen, which means *to worry*, *to disturb*, or *to cause concern*. The suffix -ung turns it into a feminine noun denoting the state or process of being worried or disturbed.
There is only this one meaning and the article is always die. 🚨 Confusion is rare as the word is quite specific.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ung → always feminine.
There are many -ung words, we won't list them all. There are only a few exceptions.
🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Die Beunruhigung
Beunruhigung is a feminine noun. Its declension is as follows:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die | Beunruhigung |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die | Beunruhigung |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der | Beunruhigung |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der | Beunruhigung |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Beunruhigungen |
| Accusative | die | Beunruhigungen |
| Dative | den | Beunruhigungen |
| Genitive | der | Beunruhigungen |
Example Sentences:
- Die Nachricht löste allgemeine Beunruhigung aus.
(The news caused general anxiety/concern.) - Ihre Beunruhigung wuchs mit jeder Stunde.
(Her anxiety grew with every hour.) - Trotz der Beunruhigung versuchte er, ruhig zu bleiben.
(Despite the unease, he tried to stay calm.) - Es gab viele Beunruhigungen bezüglich der wirtschaftlichen Lage.
(There were many worries/concerns regarding the economic situation.)
🗣️ How to use "Beunruhigung"?
Beunruhigung is used to express a state of emotional or mental unrest, often triggered by external circumstances or uncertain future prospects.
- Contexts: You often talk about Beunruhigung in relation to news (political, economic, social), personal worries (health, family, work), or unexpected events.
- Intensity: It can describe mild concern or deeper anxiety. The context often clarifies the intensity of the Beunruhigung.
- Distinction:
- Angst (fear): Is often stronger, more concrete, and fear-related than Beunruhigung (e.g., Angst vor Spinnen - *fear of spiders*).
- Sorge (worry/care): Can be similar, but often also refers to caring for someone or something (e.g., die Sorge um ein Kind - *the worry/care for a child*). Beunruhigung is more the inner state of being uneasy.
- Unruhe (unrest/restlessness): Is a more general term for a state of nervousness or restlessness, which doesn't necessarily have a specific cause.
One can "Beunruhigung empfinden" (*feel unease*), "Beunruhigung ausdrücken" (*express concern*), or something can "Beunruhigung auslösen" (*cause anxiety/concern*).
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic: Most German nouns ending in -ung are feminine, so it's die Beunruhigung. Think of other common -ung words like die Meinung (*opinion*), die Hoffnung (*hope*), die Lösung (*solution*).
Meaning Mnemonic: The word contains unruhig (*uneasy*, *restless*). Be-unruh-igung describes the state of being *made uneasy* or feeling *uneasy*. Imagine your calm state (*Ruhe*) being disturbed (*be-unruhigt*).
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Unruhe: *Unrest*, *restlessness*, general nervousness.
- Sorge: *Worry*, *concern*, often about something specific; also *care*.
- Besorgnis: *Concern*, *apprehension*, similar to *Sorge*, often slightly more formal.
- Nervosität: *Nervousness*, physically felt restlessness, often before an event.
- Angstgefühl: *Feeling of anxiety*, a diffuse sense of fear.
- Beklemmung: *Oppression*, *constriction*, a stifling feeling of anxiety or worry.
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Ruhe: *Calm*, *peace*, *quiet*, absence of disturbance.
- Gelassenheit: *Serenity*, *composure*, inner calm even in difficult situations.
- Beruhigung: *Reassurance*, *calming down*, the process or state of becoming calm.
- Sicherheit: *Security*, *safety*, feeling protected, absence of danger or doubt.
- Zuversicht: *Confidence*, *optimism*, positive belief in the future.
- Entspannung: *Relaxation*, state of physical and mental ease.
⚠️ Similar sounding words: Be careful not to confuse Beunruhigung with its opposite, Beruhigung (*reassurance*, *calming*)!
😄 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Pessimist immer Recht?
Weil er seine ständige Beunruhigung als „vorausschauende Planung“ bezeichnet! 😄
--- English Translation ---
Why is the pessimist always right?
Because he calls his constant anxiety "forward planning"! 😄
✒️ Poem about Beunruhigung
Ein leises Flüstern in der Nacht,
Hat Zweifel und Sorge gebracht.
Das Herz schlägt schneller, ohne Grund,
Die Beunruhigung macht sich kund.
Gedanken kreisen, finden kein Ziel,
Ein ungewisses, flaues Gefühl.
Man hofft auf Ruhe, sucht nach Licht,
Doch die innere Unrast weicht nicht.
--- English Translation ---
A quiet whisper in the night,
Has brought doubt and worry to light.
The heart beats faster, for no reason sound,
The unease makes itself known all around.
Thoughts circle, finding no aim,
An uncertain, queasy feeling, a game.
One hopes for calm, searches for light,
But the inner turmoil doesn't take flight.
❓ Riddle
Ich bin ein Gefühl, oft ungeladen,
Entsteh' durch Zweifel oder Schaden.
Ich raube Schlaf und inn'ren Frieden,
Bin oft mit Sorgen eng verbunden.
Ich trage '-ung' am End', feminin,
Was bin ich für ein Seelenzustand, schwierig und kühn?
Lösung: die Beunruhigung
--- English Translation ---
I am a feeling, often uninvited,
Arising from doubt or harm cited.
I steal sleep and inner peace,
Am often closely tied to worries' lease.
I carry '-ung' at the end, feminine in mien,
What state of soul am I, difficult and keen?
Answer: die Beunruhigung (anxiety/worry/unease)
🧩 Additional Information
Word Composition:
The word Beunruhigung is a good example of German word formation:
- Prefix "be-": Often used to form verbs that direct an action towards an object or bring about a state (here: *to make* someone uneasy).
- Stem "unruhig": The adjective means *not calm*, *restless*, *worried*.
- Suffix "-ung": Forms feminine nouns from verbs (beunruhigen -> Beunruhigung) or adjectives, often denoting a process, state, or result.
So, it represents the nominalization of the process or state of *being made uneasy* or *being uneasy*.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Beunruhigung?
The noun "Beunruhigung" is always feminine. The correct article is die Beunruhigung. It describes a state of worry, anxiety, or inner unrest.