wild
/vɪlt/
The German word for wild is wild.
wild is used to describe something that is not domesticated or tamed. Much like in English, it can also be used metaphorically to describe behavior that is energetic, uncontrolled or unruly.
Meaning: not domesticated or tamed (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, wild changes its ending depending on its grammatical role. It takes the ending -e when used before a plural noun in the nominative case, such as in wilde Tiere. It takes the ending -en when used in the accusative or dative plural, such as in mit den wilden Tieren.
How do you pronounce it?
/vɪlt/
Did you know?
- In German, you might hear the term Wild without any endings to refer to 'game' or 'venison' when discussing food, rather than the adjective for 'untamed'.
- The German phrase wild sein can describe someone who is sexually adventurous or promiscuous, moving beyond just being energetic or unruly.
- The Proto-Germanic ancestor of wild is reconstructed as *wilþijaz, which originally expressed the idea of a 'forest' or 'woodland' setting.
Examples in context
- Sei nicht so wild, Jack.Don't be so wild, Jack.This sentence shows how to use wild when telling someone not to be so unruly.Tatoeba #730660 by Dejo, translation #53171 by naXa
- Diese Mädchen sind wild.These girls are wild.This sentence demonstrates the use of wild to describe the nature of certain people.Tatoeba #6677242 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2210279 by Hybrid
- Im Wald leben wilde Tiere.Wild animals live in the forest.This sentence shows the adjective wild used with the plural noun 'Tiere'.Tatoeba #959991 by Sudajaengi, translation #324123 by CK
- Die ungebändigte Natur bietet eine Vielfalt an wilden Tieren und Pflanzen.The untamed nature offers a variety of wild animals and plants.
- 111 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah and Felix are watching a documentary about nature.
- SarahDiese wilden Pferde laufen über die Wiese.These wild horses are running across the meadow.
- FelixSie sehen wirklich wild aus.They look truly wild.
- SarahIch möchte sie gerne in der Wildnis sehen.I would love to see them in the wilderness.
- FelixDas wäre ein großes Abenteuer.That would be a great adventure.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wild” translations and entries wild, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries wild, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
