uncertainty
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uncertainty
The state of not knowing what will happen or how a situation will develop. It describes a feeling of insecurity and doubt about the future.
Die lange Wartezeit auf die Prüfungsergebnisse war eine Zeit großer Ungewissheit für die Studenten.
The long wait for the exam results was a time of great uncertainty for the students.
The word is clearly structured: the prefix 'un-' negates the adjective 'gewiss' (certain). The ending '-heit' turns it into a noun that describes a state. So 'Ungewissheit' (uncertainty) is literally the state of not being certain.
Die Ungewissheit über seine Zukunft machte ihm zu schaffen.
The uncertainty about his future was troubling him.
Common expressions are 'in Ungewissheit leben' (to live in uncertainty), 'jemanden in Ungewissheit lassen' (to leave someone in uncertainty), or that 'Ungewissheit herrscht' (uncertainty prevails). The feeling is often described with adjectives like 'groß' (great) or 'quälend' (agonizing).
Die Mitarbeiter leben seit Wochen in großer Ungewissheit über ihre Jobs.
The employees have been living in great uncertainty about their jobs for weeks.
To describe the state, you use the preposition 'in'. To name the subject of the uncertainty, you use 'über' with the accusative.
Er war in Ungewissheit über den Ausgang der Verhandlungen.
He was in uncertainty about the outcome of the negotiations.
safety / certainty / security
'die Sicherheit' and 'die Ungewissheit' are opposites here. 'die Sicherheit' means that you know something or firmly expect it. 'die Ungewissheit' means that you do not know what will happen and therefore have doubts. They can be confused because both often appear in situations where you are thinking about the future or a decision. But the difference is clear: Sicherheit is reassuring, while Ungewissheit leaves a situation open and uncertain.
Seit dem Ausfall des Zuges lebt das Team mit der Ungewissheit, ob es pünktlich ankommt.
Since the train was canceled, the team has been living with the uncertainty of whether it will arrive on time.
Nach der Zusage hatte Maria endlich Sicherheit für ihre Planung.
After the confirmation, Maria finally had certainty for her planning.