Could you tell me, folks, if my Reverso Context translates the following English phrases into German correctly and if they are naturally used in the examples I have written?
Examples:
Your translation attempts are too literal. I tried to guess the English original and translated it to more natural German.
What a mess has been happening here? — Welcher Orkan ist hier denn durchgezogen?
This is because German Chaos is not something that happens but an outcome. My attempt is a picture that one may use to catch the dynamic.
What on earth have you done to my lovely oak? — Was in aller Welt hast du mit meiner schönen Eiche angestellt?
Lovely usually translates to schön in German. If you want to berate someone about what they have done, etwas anstellen — to get into mischief is the proper and common verb phrase. A more plain option is machen. Not tun. That latter verb is seldom used in German.
What the hell is happening here and now? — Was zum Teufel ist hier los?
The verb phrase los sein conveys the chaotic aspect. No need for extra adverbials.
In my opinion, your #1 and #2 are more often used as interjections - and standalone.
[enters room] "Was für ein Chaos!"
[gets called by an unknown person who directly starts talking about a specific topic] "Was in aller Welt?! Ich denke sie sind falsch verbunden!"
Your #3, "What the hell", is more commonly used as part of a sentence. Your example given is fine.
You can translate "what the hell" with "Was zur Hölle", which is of equal meaning and usage (compared to "was zum Teufel"), but nearer to the english origin.
