instabil
unstable
Physically not firm or securely standing; wobbly and at risk of tipping over or collapsing.
EXAMPLE
Der Turm aus Bauklötzen ist sehr instabil.
The tower of building blocks is very unstable.
instabil
unstable
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Meanings
instabil
unstable
Psychologically or emotionally not balanced; prone to sudden changes in mood or behavior.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem traumatischen Erlebnis war sie eine Zeit lang emotional sehr instabil.
After the traumatic experience, she was emotionally very unstable for a while.
instabil
unstable
Describes a situation or system, e.g. political or economic, that is uncertain and likely to change abruptly.
EXAMPLE
Die politische Lage in der Region ist seit dem Putschversuch instabil.
The political situation in the region has been unstable since the attempted coup.
instabil
unstable
(Scientific) The property of a substance or particle to tend to change or decay spontaneously.
EXAMPLE
Uran-238 ist ein radioaktives, instabiles Isotop.
Uranium-238 is a radioactive, unstable isotope.
Usage tips
Word structure
The word is formed with the prefix 'in-', which here expresses negation. 'Instabil' (unstable) therefore means 'not stable'. Recognizing this structure helps with understanding many loanwords in German.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Sturm war die alte Scheune einsturzgefährdet und sehr instabil.
After the storm, the old barn was at risk of collapse and very unstable.
Context clues
The exact meaning of 'instabil' (unstable) becomes clear from the noun it describes or from an additional adverb. This makes it easy to distinguish between an unstable bridge (physical), an emotionally unstable person (psychological), or a politically unstable situation (system).
EXAMPLE
Das Regal ist instabil, stell bitte keine schweren Bücher darauf.
The shelf is unstable; please don't put any heavy books on it.
Typical collocations
In the physical meaning, 'instabil' (unstable) often describes structures, furniture, or objects. Typical combinations are 'eine instabile Konstruktion' (an unstable construction), 'ein instabiles Gerüst' (an unstable scaffold), or 'instabil stehen' (to stand unsteadily).
EXAMPLE
Die Leiter stand auf dem unebenen Boden sehr instabil.
The ladder stood very unsteadily on the uneven ground.
Psychological context
In a psychological context, 'instabil' (unstable) is often made more precise by adverbs like 'emotional' (emotionally) or 'psychisch' (psychologically/mentally). It then describes a state that is not in balance.
EXAMPLE
In ihrer Jugend war sie emotional sehr instabil und hatte starke Stimmungsschwankungen.
In her youth, she was emotionally very unstable and had severe mood swings.
Political context
With regard to systems, 'instabil' (unstable) is often used for political or economic conditions. Typical phrases are 'eine instabile Regierung' (an unstable government), 'eine instabile Wirtschaftslage' (an unstable economic situation), or 'politisch instabil' (politically unstable).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Rücktritt des Premierministers war die politische Lage im Land sehr instabil.
After the prime minister's resignation, the political situation in the country was very unstable.
Compare with
instabil vs unsicher
uncertain / insecure
When describing an object, both unsicher and instabil can express a lack of stability or support. Instabil specifically means that it does not stand firmly and could tip over. Unsicher evaluates it more generally as unreliable or dangerous; depending on how you view the same situation, either word may therefore be possible.
instabil
Das Regal mit den losen Schrauben ist instabil und schwankt bei jeder Berührung.
The shelf with the loose screws is unstable and wobbles whenever it is touched.
unsicher
Das Regal mit den losen Schrauben ist unsicher und sollte nicht benutzt werden.
The shelf with the loose screws is unsafe and should not be used.
In real life
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