restless / unsettled
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restless
Being nervous, inwardly agitated, or restless and unable to find calm, often because of worry or tension.
Vor dem wichtigen Vorstellungsgespräch war sie sehr unruhig und lief im Zimmer auf und ab.
Before the important job interview, she was very restless and paced back and forth in the room.
The adjective is made up of the prefix 'un-' (not) and the adjective 'ruhig' (calm/quiet). So it literally means 'not calm' or 'without rest'.
Nach dem lauten Knall waren alle im Raum unruhig.
After the loud bang, everyone in the room was restless.
The exact meaning of 'unruhig' depends on the noun it describes. If it refers to a person, it means nervousness. If it describes a situation, it means instability. If it refers to an object or a state, it means movement.
Der Patient war die ganze Nacht unruhig.
The patient was restless all night.
When a person is 'unruhig' (restless), this is often expressed through typical actions. Common combinations are 'unruhig schlafen' (to sleep restlessly), 'unruhig auf und ab gehen' (to pace restlessly back and forth), or 'unruhig auf dem Stuhl hin und her rutschen' (to shift restlessly around on the chair).
Er schlief vor der Prüfung sehr unruhig.
He slept very restlessly before the exam.
In the meaning 'instabil' (unstable), 'unruhig' is often used to describe abstract concepts such as periods of time, a situation, or the political situation.
Die wirtschaftliche Lage bleibt weiterhin unruhig.
The economic situation remains unsettled.
quiet / calm
'ruhig' and 'unruhig' are opposites, but they can be used in several situations. 'ruhig' fits when there is little noise, little movement, or inner calm. 'unruhig' means the opposite: someone cannot find peace, a place is noisy or disturbed, or something is not moving evenly. Learners may confuse the words because 'unruhig' is formed directly from 'ruhig' with the prefix 'un-'. So pay attention to the meaning: 'ruhig' means without disturbance or agitation, while 'unruhig' means with disturbance, movement, or tension.
Vor der Reise schläft sie unruhig und wacht mehrmals auf.
Before the trip, she sleeps restlessly and wakes up several times.
Nach dem Unterricht ist es in der Schule endlich ruhig.
After class, the school is finally quiet.