boredom
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boredom
A feeling of inner emptiness and listlessness that arises from a lack of interesting activity or stimulation. It is a colloquial or outdated variant of the correct word 'Langeweile' (boredom).
Aus reiner Langweile fing er an, die Risse in der Zimmerdecke zu zählen.
Out of sheer boredom, he started counting the cracks in the ceiling.
The word is made up of 'lang' (long) and 'Weile' (while/period of time). It literally describes a long stretch of time in which you cannot find anything interesting to do.
Die Kinder malten Bilder, um die Langweile zu vertreiben.
The children painted pictures to drive away the boredom.
The word is very often used with the preposition 'aus' (out of) to state the reason for an action: 'aus Langweile etwas tun' (to do something out of boredom). Another fixed expression is 'Langweile haben' (to be bored / to have boredom).
Aus reiner Langweile begann sie, die Leute auf der Straße zu beobachten.
Out of sheer boredom, she began watching the people on the street.
This form of the word is mainly used in colloquial speech or can sound outdated. It is rare in formal or written contexts.
Was machst du gegen die Langweile am Sonntagnachmittag?
What do you do about boredom on Sunday afternoons?
