der Radau
racket
Very loud, usually unpleasant noise or racket.
EXAMPLE
Der Radau aus der Nachbarwohnung war bis spät in die Nacht zu hören.
The racket from the neighboring apartment could be heard until late at night.
der Radau
racket / commotion
der Radau
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Meanings
der Radau
commotion
Loud, disorderly activity involving arguments, unrest, or excitement.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Spiel begann auf dem Platz ein großer Radau.
After the game, there was a great commotion in the square.
Radau machen
to make a racket
To be loud and disruptive or to attract attention through noise and commotion.
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder machen im Wohnzimmer so viel Radau, dass ich nicht arbeiten kann.
The children are making so much noise in the living room that I can't work.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Radau, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| genitive | des Radaus |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Radau | – |
| accusative | den Radau | – |
| dative | dem Radau | – |
| genitive | des Radaus | – |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Colloquial expression
'Radau' (racket / commotion) is mainly colloquial and usually has a clearly negative tone: the noise or activity is perceived as disruptive. In factual descriptions, the word can therefore sound too subjective.
EXAMPLE
Der Radau im Treppenhaus hat die ganze Familie geweckt.
The racket in the stairwell woke the whole family.
Typical collocations
For the meaning 'starker Lärm' (loud noise), 'Radau' is often used with information about the time or place. Typical collocations are 'nächtlicher Radau' (nighttime racket), 'lauter Radau' (loud racket), and 'Radau aus der Wohnung' (racket coming from the apartment).
EXAMPLE
Wegen des nächtlichen Radaus konnten die Gäste kaum schlafen.
Because of the nighttime racket, the guests could hardly sleep.
Fixed expression
'Radau machen' (to make a racket) is a fixed expression. The person or group causing the noise usually appears as the subject; 'viel' (a lot of) or 'großen' (a great deal of) intensifies the statement.
EXAMPLE
Die Jugendlichen machten vor dem Haus großen Radau.
The teenagers made a great racket in front of the house.
In real life
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