unease / discomfort
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unease
A feeling of discomfort, embarrassment, or inner tension in a particular situation or in the presence of other people.
Die peinliche Stille nach seiner Bemerkung löste bei allen Anwesenden Unbehagen aus.
The awkward silence after his remark caused unease among everyone present.
The word consists of the prefix 'Un-' and the noun 'Behagen' (well-being, comfort). The prefix 'Un-' negates the base word, so 'Unbehagen' (unease/discomfort) literally means 'non-well-being.'
Er spürte ein tiefes Unbehagen bei dem Gedanken, allein im Dunkeln zu sein.
He felt a deep unease at the thought of being alone in the dark.
The exact type of 'Unbehagen' (unease/discomfort) becomes clear from the context. If it refers to a social situation, an embarrassing remark, or an atmosphere, it is emotional. If it is connected with a body part, for example 'im Magen' (in the stomach), it is physical.
Sein seltsames Verhalten löste bei mir Unbehagen aus.
His strange behavior made me feel uneasy.
'Unbehagen' (unease) is a feeling that one often 'empfindet' (feels/experiences) or 'spürt' (feels). A situation or a person can 'auslösen' (trigger), 'verursachen' (cause), or 'bereiten' (create/cause) unease for someone.
Ich empfand ein starkes Unbehagen, als er mich so anstarrte.
I felt a strong unease when he stared at me like that.
fear
'die Angst' and 'das Unbehagen' can both describe an unpleasant inner feeling. 'Angst' is usually stronger and often has a clear reason, for example a danger, an exam, or a specific situation. 'Unbehagen' is weaker and less precise: you do not feel comfortable, you are tense or embarrassed, but you do not always know exactly why. Learners may confuse the words because both sound negative. As a simple guide: for real fear, you are more likely to say 'Angst'; for a slight, unclear bad feeling, 'Unbehagen' is more likely to fit.
Bei dem langen Schweigen im Raum fühlte Lisa ein leichtes Unbehagen.
During the long silence in the room, Lisa felt a slight unease.
Tom hat Angst vor dem großen Hund im Hof.
Tom is afraid of the big dog in the yard.