wild / lanky
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wild
An outdated and regional description for young people who are wild, high-spirited, or inclined to play pranks.
Die Jungen waren als range Kerle im ganzen Dorf bekannt.
The boys were known throughout the village as wild lads.
The adjective 'range' (wild/lanky) is highly outdated and is now understood only in very few regions of Germany. You will almost never hear or read it in modern German.
Mein Großvater erzählte von den rangen Buben aus seiner Jugend.
My grandfather told stories about the wild boys from his youth.
'Range' is not a German word for the English 'range' (Reichweite, Auswahl). The German word is a very rare adjective, while the English word is a common noun.
Die Jungs waren für ihre rangen Streiche bekannt.
The boys were known for their wild pranks.
If you see this rare word, it is used like a normal adjective. It either stands before a noun or after a verb like 'sein' (to be).
Er war ein ranger Kerl, der immer zu Abenteuern bereit war.
He was a wild lad who was always ready for adventures.
wild
'wild' and 'die Range' can both describe someone who is restless, high-spirited, or hard to control. 'wild' is a normal adjective and fits many situations: children, animals, weather, or a loud party. 'die Range', on the other hand, is a very old and regional word for a young person who is wild or cheeky. In everyday German today, 'wild' sounds much more natural. You are more likely to understand 'Range' in older texts or in some regions.
Die alte Nachbarin nennt den übermütigen Jungen manchmal eine kleine Range.
The old neighbor sometimes calls the high-spirited boy a little rascal.
Die Kinder waren nach dem langen Tag so wild, dass niemand mehr ruhig am Tisch sitzen konnte.
After the long day, the children were so wild that no one could sit calmly at the table anymore.