ungestüm
The English word rambunctious is translated into German as ungestüm.
ungestüm is an adjective used to describe someone or something that is boisterous, energetic, noisy and difficult to control.
Meaning: boisterous, energetic, noisy, and difficult to control (adj)
Which one should you use?
You may also encounter the synonym wild, which is a common and slightly more colloquial way to describe energetic behavior.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective ungestüm changes its ending depending on its role in a sentence. It takes the ending -e when used before a feminine or plural noun in the nominative case (as in ungestüme). It takes the ending -en when used in the dative plural case (as in ungestümen).
Did you know?
- The core of ungestüm is actually related to the concept of standing still or being calm. It evolved from a root meaning 'to halt' or 'to stop', so the word describes someone who is 'not-halting' or 'not-stopping'.
- While ungestüm describes a person's temperament, it is also the standard way to describe the literal, physical violence of a storm or a rough sea.
- In a metaphorical sense, ungestüm is often used in German to describe romantic or emotional intensity, such as an 'ungestümes Verlangen' (a rambunctious or impetuous longing).
Examples in context
- Die Kinder waren heute besonders lebhaft.The children were exceptionally lively today.
- Der junge Athlet zeigte ein ungestümes Verhalten während des Spiels.The young athlete displayed impetuous behavior during the game.
- Die Party war wild und voller Energie.The party was wild and full of energy.
- Die Kinder waren ausgelassen und tobten im Garten herum.The children were boisterous and frolicked around in the garden.
- Die ungestümen Kinder spielen im Garten.The rambunctious children are playing in the garden.
- Sein ungestümes Verhalten war schwer zu kontrollieren.His boisterous behavior was difficult to control.
- Die Wellen sind heute sehr ungestüm.The waves are very energetic and wild today.
Example conversation
Julia and Julian are watching their puppy in the living room.
- JuliaDer Welpe ist heute wirklich ungestüm.The puppy is really rambunctious today.
- JulianJa, Julia, er rennt überall herum.Yes, Julia, he is running everywhere.
- JuliaEr ist zu ungestüm für die Wohnung.He is too boisterous for the apartment.
- JulianVielleicht sollte ich mit ihm nach draußen gehen.Maybe I should go outside with him.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ungestüm, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ungestüm, CC BY-SA 4.0.
