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zappeln

to fidget, to wriggle, to squirm

verb TSAP-eln Rare
Body & Health Movement

Usage Note

zappeln describes restless, jerky movements of the whole body or limbs — a child fidgeting on a chair, a fish flopping. It conveys involuntary or barely-controlled restlessness. Common in descriptions of children's behaviour, anxiety, and agitation.

Examples

"Das Kind zappelt unruhig auf dem Stuhl und kann nicht stillsitzen."

Natural Translation

The child fidgets restlessly on the chair and cannot sit still.

Literal Translation

The child fidgets restlessly on the chair and can not still-sit.

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