die Unordnung
mess
A state of untidiness or disorder in which things are not in their place.
EXAMPLE
In seinem Zimmer herrschte eine schreckliche Unordnung.
There was a terrible mess in his room.
die Unordnung
disorder
die Unordnung
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Meanings
die Unordnung
disorder
A state of confusion, chaos, or disruption in a system, process, or social structure.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Rücktritt des Ministers herrschte politische Unordnung im Land.
After the minister's resignation, there was political disorder in the country.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Unordnung, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| genitive | der Unordnung |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Unordnung | – |
| accusative | die Unordnung | – |
| dative | der Unordnung | – |
| genitive | der Unordnung | – |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word structure
The word is the direct opposite of 'die Ordnung' (order). The prefix 'Un-' is often used in German to form the opposite of a word.
EXAMPLE
Deine Unordnung auf dem Schreibtisch stört meine Ordnung.
Your mess on the desk disturbs my order.
Sentence structure and use
'Unordnung' (disorder / mess) is often used with the preposition 'in'. The fixed expression 'in Unordnung sein' (to be in disorder) describes the state, while 'etwas in Unordnung bringen' (to put something into disorder / mess something up) describes the action.
EXAMPLE
Nach der Party war die ganze Wohnung in Unordnung.
After the party, the whole apartment was in a mess.
Typical collocations
When talking about an untidy room, typical verbs are 'Unordnung machen' (to make a mess), 'Unordnung hinterlassen' (to leave a mess), or the impersonal phrasing 'es herrscht Unordnung' (there is disorder / a mess).
EXAMPLE
Bitte mach nicht so eine Unordnung in der Küche.
Please don't make such a mess in the kitchen.
Context clue
The figurative meaning of 'Unordnung' (disorder) can often be recognized by the adjectives before it. When people speak of 'politischer', 'sozialer', or 'finanzieller' Unordnung (political, social, or financial disorder), it is about chaos in a system, not untidy things.
EXAMPLE
Die neuen Gesetze führten zu finanzieller Unordnung bei den Kleinunternehmen.
The new laws led to financial disorder among small businesses.
Compare with
Unordnung vs Chaos
chaos
Chaos and „Unordnung“ both refer to a state without clear order. However, „Chaos“ sounds stronger and more comprehensive, while „Unordnung“ can also describe limited untidiness. Use „Unordnung“ for a manageable problem and „Chaos“ when the situation seems particularly disorganized.
Unordnung
Im Wohnzimmer herrschte nach der Party nur etwas Unordnung.
After the party, there was only a little mess in the living room.
Chaos
Im Wohnzimmer herrschte nach der Party völliges Chaos.
After the party, there was complete chaos in the living room.
In real life
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