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ungemütlich
uncomfortable
Describing an atmosphere or place that is not cozy, inviting, or comfortable.
example
Das Wartezimmer beim Arzt war kalt und ungemütlich.
The doctor's waiting room was cold and uncomfortable.
ungemütlich
uncomfortable
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word structure
'Ungemütlich' (uncomfortable) is the direct opposite of 'gemütlich' (cozy) and is formed with the prefix 'un-'. 'Gemütlich' is a central German word for a warm, cozy, and pleasant atmosphere.
EXAMPLE
Ohne Heizung war es im Winter in der alten Wohnung oft ungemütlich.
Without heating, the old apartment was often uncomfortable in winter.
Context clue
The context makes the meaning clear: If 'ungemütlich' (uncomfortable) refers to a place, it is not cozy. If it refers to a situation or question, it is unpleasant. If it refers to the weather, it is cold and wet.
EXAMPLE
Der harte Stuhl machte das lange Sitzen ungemütlich.
The hard chair made sitting for a long time uncomfortable.
Sentence structure and use
To describe an escalating, unpleasant situation, the expression 'es wird ungemütlich' (things are getting uncomfortable) is often used. This signals that the mood is shifting and conflicts may arise.
EXAMPLE
Als die Chefin von den Problemen erfuhr, wurde es für alle im Team ungemütlich.
When the boss found out about the problems, things became uncomfortable for everyone on the team.
Compare with
ungemütlich vs schwierig
difficult
'schwierig' and 'ungemütlich' can both describe an unpleasant situation or a difficult person. 'schwierig' is more general and means that something causes problems or is hard to solve. 'ungemütlich' puts more emphasis on something feeling unpleasant: a cold room, bad weather, or a tense situation. Learners may confuse the words because both can fit when there are problems. For tasks, decisions, or people, 'schwierig' is often more precise. For atmosphere, weather, or an unpleasant mood, 'ungemütlich' sounds more natural.
ungemütlich
Nach dem Streit wurde die Stimmung im Büro ziemlich ungemütlich.
After the argument, the atmosphere in the office became pretty uncomfortable.
schwierig
Es war schwierig, der Familie die schlechte Nachricht zu erklären.
It was difficult to explain the bad news to the family.
In real life
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