mischief / monster
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to be up to mischief
In a fixed expression: to carry out harmful, disruptive, or criminal activities.
Eine Gruppe von Vandalen treibt nachts in der Parkanlage ihr Unwesen.
A group of vandals is up to mischief in the park at night.
monster
An evil, harmful, or monstrous being or apparition. This meaning is outdated and rare.
Alte Legenden berichten von einem schrecklichen Unwesen, das im Moor hauste.
Old legends tell of a terrible monster that lived in the moor.
'Unwesen' combines the negative prefix 'un-' with 'Wesen' (a creature, a living being). So it literally describes a 'bad being' or a destructive force.
Die Dorfbewohner fürchteten das Unwesen, das im dunklen Wald leben sollte.
The villagers feared the monster that was said to live in the dark forest.
In modern German, 'Unwesen' is almost only used in the fixed expression 'sein Unwesen treiben' (to be up to mischief/to wreak havoc). The possessive pronoun ('sein', 'ihr') agrees with the subject of the sentence.
Die Diebesbande treibt nachts in der Innenstadt ihr Unwesen.
The gang of thieves is up to mischief in the city center at night.
The expression 'sein Unwesen treiben' (to be up to mischief/to wreak havoc) describes negative, harmful, or criminal actions. You can use it for people (thieves, vandals) or metaphorically for things (a storm, a virus).
Ein neuer Computervirus treibt im Internet sein Unwesen.
A new computer virus is wreaking havoc on the internet.
The meaning of 'Unwesen' (monster/evil spirit) is outdated. Today, you find it almost only in fairy tales, legends, and old stories.
Das Märchen handelte von einem schrecklichen Unwesen, das Kinder entführte.
The fairy tale was about a terrible monster that kidnapped children.
nonsense / mischief
Both Unfug and Unwesen can refer to disruptive behavior. Unfug usually seems harmless and refers more to nonsense or pranks, while „Unwesen treiben“ points more strongly to harmful or threatening activities. Use „Unfug“ for minor disruptions and „Unwesen“ for more serious harm.
Nachts trieb eine Gruppe Jugendlicher in der verlassenen Halle ihr Unwesen.
At night, a group of teenagers was up to mischief in the abandoned hall.
Die Kinder machten im Garten Unfug und versteckten die Schuhe ihrer Eltern.
The children misbehaved in the garden and hid their parents’ shoes.
