unwohl
unwell
To feel physically not well, slightly ill, or nauseous.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem fettigen Essen war mir den ganzen Abend unwohl.
After the greasy food, I felt unwell all evening.
unwohl
unwell / uncomfortable
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Meanings
unwohl
uncomfortable
To feel psychologically or socially uneasy, insecure, or embarrassed in a particular situation.
EXAMPLE
Ich fühle mich in großen Menschenmengen immer etwas unwohl.
I always feel somewhat uncomfortable in large crowds.
Usage tips
Word structure
The word is the direct opposite of 'wohl' (well). The prefix 'un-' negates the adjective 'wohl' (good, healthy), so 'unwohl' (unwell/uncomfortable) literally means 'not good' or 'not healthy'.
EXAMPLE
Er fühlte sich nach der langen Reise sichtlich unwohl.
He visibly felt unwell after the long journey.
Two typical sentence patterns
'Unwohl' (unwell/uncomfortable) is almost always used in two fixed constructions. Either with the verb 'fühlen' (to feel): 'Ich fühle mich unwohl' (I feel unwell/uncomfortable), or with 'sein' (to be), where the person is in the dative: 'Mir ist unwohl' (I feel unwell).
EXAMPLE
Ich fühle mich bei diesem Thema unwohl.
I feel uncomfortable with this topic.
Context clue
The context tells you whether physical or psychological discomfort is meant. If it is about food, illness, or the body, the physical meaning is intended. If it is about social situations, conversations, or feelings, the psychological meaning is intended.
EXAMPLE
Vom Geruch des Fisches wurde mir unwohl.
The smell of the fish made me feel unwell.
Compare with
unwohl vs schlecht
bad
Schlecht and unwohl can both express physical discomfort. In the expression „jemandem ist schlecht“ (someone feels sick), schlecht typically indicates nausea. Unwohl is more general and also fits a mild, unspecified feeling of physical discomfort.
unwohl
Nach der langen Busfahrt fühlte ich mich unwohl und schwach.
After the long bus ride, I felt unwell and weak.
schlecht
Nach der kurvigen Busfahrt war mir schlecht.
I felt sick after the winding bus ride.
In real life
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