das Gewühl, -e
hustle and bustle · throng
Viele Menschen oder Dinge sind dicht zusammen und bewegen sich durcheinander.
Definition & meaning
Gewühl refers to a chaotic, crowded, or confused mass of people or animals moving in a confined space. It describes a scene of bustling, swarming, or jostling activity.
- Crowd/Throng: A dense, moving group of people, often associated with noise and disorder. (e.g., "The crowd at the market.")
- Tumult/Commotion: A state of agitated, messy activity or confusion.
Grammar & Word origin
Gewühl is a neuter noun (das Gewühl). It is formed from the verb wühlen (to dig, to root, to wallow, or to stir up). The prefix Ge- is a collective prefix in German, often used to turn a verb into a noun representing a collective or continuous action. Therefore, Gewühl literally describes the state of "constant stirring or digging about" by a group.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
- Gedränge (the act of pushing or a dense crowd)
- Gewimmel (a swarming, teeming mass)
- Tumult (uproar or commotion)
- Menschenmenge (crowd of people)
- Wirrwarr (confusion or jumble)
Antonyms
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Examples
Im Gewühl der Stadt verliert man leicht den Überblick.noun
In the hustle and bustle of the city, one easily loses track.
Am Bahnhof suchte ich im Gewühl meinen Koffer.noun
At the station, I searched for my suitcase in the throng.
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