verb

wohlfühlen

feel comfortable

sich gut und zufrieden fühlen, weil alles angenehm ist.

Definition & meaning

The verb "wohlfühlen" describes a state of physical or emotional well-being. It is almost exclusively used as a reflexive verb: "sich wohlfühlen." It has two primary nuances:

  1. General well-being: To feel healthy, happy, or content in one's own skin. For example, after a long sleep or a healthy meal, one might say they feel "wohl."
  2. Environmental comfort: To feel at home or at ease in a specific place, group, or situation. If you visit a friend's house and feel relaxed and welcome, you are "wohlfühlen" there.

Grammar & Word origin

"Wohlfühlen" is a separable verb (trennbares Verb). In a main clause, the prefix "wohl" moves to the end of the sentence: "Ich fühle mich hier wohl."

The word consists of two components:

  • wohl: An adverb meaning "well" or "good." It shares the same Germanic root as the English word "well."
  • fühlen: A verb meaning "to feel," related to the English verb "to feel."

In the past tense, it follows the pattern of "fühlen":

  • Präteritum: fühlte wohl
  • Perfekt: hat wohlgefühlt

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

  • sich entspannen (to relax)
  • genießen (to enjoy)
  • behaglich sein (to be cozy/comfortable)
  • sich einleben (to settle in or get comfortable in a new place)
  • ausruhen (to rest)

Antonyms

  • sich unwohl fühlen (to feel unwell or uncomfortable)
  • leiden (to suffer)
  • fremdeln (to feel strange or shy in a new environment)
  • sich quälen (to agonize or struggle)
  • krank sein (to be sick)

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Examples

Am Strand können sich viele Menschen richtig wohlfühlen.verb

At the beach, many people can really feel comfortable.

Fühlst du dich in deiner Arbeitsgruppe wohl?verb

Do you feel comfortable in your working group?

Nach dem langen Bad fühlte ich mich wohl.verb

After the long bath I felt comfortable.

In dieser entspannten Atmosphäre fühlten wir uns wohl.verb

In this relaxed atmosphere, we felt comfortable.

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