die Verwirrung
confusion
The state in which someone cannot think clearly, is disoriented, or is unsure.
EXAMPLE
Seine widersprüchlichen Aussagen stifteten große Verwirrung.
His contradictory statements caused great confusion.
die Verwirrung
confusion
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Meanings
die Verwirrung
confusion / mix-up
A confusing, chaotic situation or mix-up in which it is unclear what is correct or what is happening.
EXAMPLE
Bei der Platzreservierung kam es zu einer peinlichen Verwirrung.
There was an embarrassing mix-up with the seat reservation.
Usage tips
Word family
'Verwirrung' (confusion) belongs to the word family of 'wirr' (chaotic, disordered) and the verb 'verwirren' (to confuse). The ending '-ung' turns the verb into a noun that describes the state or the result.
EXAMPLE
Lass dich von den vielen Details nicht verwirren.
Don't let the many details confuse you.
Causing confusion
To express that something causes confusion, fixed phrases such as 'Verwirrung stiften' (to cause confusion), 'für Verwirrung sorgen' (to create confusion), or 'zu Verwirrung führen' (to lead to confusion) are used.
EXAMPLE
Die plötzliche Änderung im Plan sorgte für allgemeine Verwirrung.
The sudden change in the plan caused general confusion.
State of confusion
To describe a person's state, phrases such as 'in Verwirrung sein' (to be in confusion), 'in Verwirrung geraten' (to become confused), or 'jemanden in Verwirrung bringen' (to confuse someone) are often used.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem langen Flug war er in einem Zustand totaler Verwirrung.
After the long flight, he was in a state of total confusion.
Compare with
durcheinanderUnsicherheitMissverständnisWirreVerwechslungVerunsicherungHilflosigkeitUnklarheitIrritation
Verwirrung vs durcheinander
mixed up / chaotic
Durcheinander and Verwirrung can both describe a disorganized situation. Durcheinander primarily emphasizes the lack of order, while Verwirrung additionally shows that it is unclear as a result what is happening or what is correct. When describing the order of things, durcheinander is appropriate; when the issue is a lack of orientation, Verwirrung is the better choice.
Verwirrung
Die verschiedenen Erklärungen verursachten Verwirrung, sodass niemand den Ablauf verstand.
The different explanations caused confusion, so no one understood the sequence of events.
durcheinander
Die Erklärungen kamen durcheinander, sodass niemand den Ablauf verstand.
The explanations came out of order, so no one understood the sequence of events.
In real life
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