01
wild
Living or growing in nature and not tamed or cultivated by humans.
example
Im Nationalpark kann man viele wilde Tiere beobachten.
In the national park, you can observe many wild animals.
wild
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Meanings
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Usage tips
As an adverb
'Wild' can also be used as an adverb to describe an action. It then means 'uncontrolled', 'chaotic', or 'very intense'.
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder rannten wild im Garten umher.
The children ran around wildly in the garden.
Typical collocations
In the meaning of 'not tamed', 'wild' is almost always used in relation to nature. Typical combinations are 'wilde Tiere' (wild animals), 'wilde Pflanzen' (wild plants), or 'wild wachsen' (to grow wild).
EXAMPLE
In diesem Wald wachsen viele wilde Kräuter.
Many wild herbs grow in this forest.
Figurative meaning
The meaning 'chaotic' or 'uncontrolled' is transferred from nature. It is often used to describe hair, parties, discussions, or even the weather.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Sturm sah der Garten ziemlich wild aus.
After the storm, the garden looked pretty wild.
Register and style
The meaning 'great' or 'crazy' is colloquial and is used especially by younger people. You would not use it in formal situations.
EXAMPLE
Das Konzert gestern war total wild!
The concert yesterday was totally wild!
Fixed combination
The meaning 'completely unfamiliar' occurs almost only in the compound adjective 'wildfremd' (completely unknown / a complete stranger). Here, 'wild' intensifies the word 'fremd' (strange, unfamiliar).
EXAMPLE
Er hat sein Geheimnis einer wildfremden Person im Zug erzählt.
He told his secret to a complete stranger on the train.
Compare with
wild vs ruhig
quiet / calm
'ruhig' and 'wild' can be opposites when talking about sounds, movement, or behavior. 'ruhig' describes something quiet, silent, or calm. A 'ruhige' person is not nervous; a 'ruhiger' place is not loud. 'wild', in this contrast, describes something uncontrolled, loud, stormy, or very intense in behavior. Not every meaning of 'wild' is the opposite of 'ruhig': a wild animal is simply not tame. As an opposite, 'wild' mainly fits with behavior, mood, or movement.
wild
Nach dem Tor wurde die Feier im Bus plötzlich sehr wild.
After the goal, the celebration on the bus suddenly became very wild.
ruhig
Trotz des Problems blieb die Verkäuferin ruhig und erklärte alles freundlich.
Despite the problem, the saleswoman stayed calm and explained everything kindly.
In real life
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