Correct word for “unfathomable”?
How would a father bemoan his child who is always getting into trouble? He is trying to say:
It’s unfathomable to me how you have managed to spill wine on your white shirt.
Would it be undurchschaubar or unergründlich? Or some other word?
The word should not have the connotation of mysterious as in “The lord moves in mysterious ways”, which I think is unergründlich, because the father is speaking with anger and frustration.
word-choice single-word-request
edited 2 days ago
Wrzlprmft♦
18.3k445110
asked Jan 13 at 5:43
CarmaCarma
263
New contributor
Carma is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
How would a father bemoan his child who is always getting into trouble? He is trying to say:
It’s unfathomable to me how you have managed to spill wine on your white shirt.
Would it be undurchschaubar or unergründlich? Or some other word?
The word should not have the connotation of mysterious as in “The lord moves in mysterious ways”, which I think is unergründlich, because the father is speaking with anger and frustration.
word-choice single-word-request
edited 2 days ago
Wrzlprmft♦
18.3k445110
asked Jan 13 at 5:43
CarmaCarma
263
New contributor
Carma is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
5
Another aside: Why on earth did the child have wine in their hands !? ;-)
– Peter A. Schneider
2 days ago
@userunknown Ah, right: child is a homophone (indicates relatedness, or age). But why would somebody berate their adult child like that? ;-).
– Peter A. Schneider
yesterday
The child is obviously quite neglected by his parents :(
– Carma
yesterday
@Carma: about French children... it depends on the family customs, but it has become rather rare nowadays. :-))
– J.P. Tosoni
yesterday
add a comment |
How would a father bemoan his child who is always getting into trouble? He is trying to say:
It’s unfathomable to me how you have managed to spill wine on your white shirt.
Would it be undurchschaubar or unergründlich? Or some other word?
The word should not have the connotation of mysterious as in “The lord moves in mysterious ways”, which I think is unergründlich, because the father is speaking with anger and frustration.
word-choice single-word-request
edited 2 days ago
Wrzlprmft♦
18.3k445110
asked Jan 13 at 5:43
CarmaCarma
263
New contributor
Carma is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
How would a father bemoan his child who is always getting into trouble? He is trying to say:
It’s unfathomable to me how you have managed to spill wine on your white shirt.
Would it be undurchschaubar or unergründlich? Or some other word?
The word should not have the connotation of mysterious as in “The lord moves in mysterious ways”, which I think is unergründlich, because the father is speaking with anger and frustration.
word-choice single-word-request
word-choice single-word-request
edited 2 days ago
Wrzlprmft♦
18.3k445110
asked Jan 13 at 5:43
CarmaCarma
263
New contributor
Carma is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 2 days ago
Wrzlprmft♦
18.3k445110
asked Jan 13 at 5:43
CarmaCarma
263
New contributor
Carma is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 2 days ago
Wrzlprmft♦
18.3k445110
edited 2 days ago
Wrzlprmft♦
18.3k445110
edited 2 days ago
Wrzlprmft♦
18.3k445110
18.3k445110
asked Jan 13 at 5:43
CarmaCarma
263
New contributor
Carma is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked Jan 13 at 5:43
CarmaCarma
263
asked Jan 13 at 5:43
CarmaCarma
263
263
New contributor
Carma is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Carma is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Carma is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
5
Another aside: Why on earth did the child have wine in their hands !? ;-)
– Peter A. Schneider
2 days ago
@userunknown Ah, right: child is a homophone (indicates relatedness, or age). But why would somebody berate their adult child like that? ;-).
– Peter A. Schneider
yesterday
The child is obviously quite neglected by his parents :(
– Carma
yesterday
@Carma: about French children... it depends on the family customs, but it has become rather rare nowadays. :-))
– J.P. Tosoni
yesterday
add a comment |
5
Another aside: Why on earth did the child have wine in their hands !? ;-)
– Peter A. Schneider
2 days ago
@userunknown Ah, right: child is a homophone (indicates relatedness, or age). But why would somebody berate their adult child like that? ;-).
– Peter A. Schneider
yesterday
The child is obviously quite neglected by his parents :(
– Carma
yesterday
@Carma: about French children... it depends on the family customs, but it has become rather rare nowadays. :-))
– J.P. Tosoni
yesterday
5
5
Another aside: Why on earth did the child have wine in their hands !? ;-)
– Peter A. Schneider
2 days ago
Another aside: Why on earth did the child have wine in their hands !? ;-)
– Peter A. Schneider
2 days ago
@userunknown Ah, right: child is a homophone (indicates relatedness, or age). But why would somebody berate their adult child like that? ;-).
– Peter A. Schneider
yesterday
@userunknown Ah, right: child is a homophone (indicates relatedness, or age). But why would somebody berate their adult child like that? ;-).
– Peter A. Schneider
yesterday
The child is obviously quite neglected by his parents :(
– Carma
yesterday
The child is obviously quite neglected by his parents :(
– Carma
yesterday
@Carma: about French children... it depends on the family customs, but it has become rather rare nowadays. :-))
– J.P. Tosoni
yesterday
@Carma: about French children... it depends on the family customs, but it has become rather rare nowadays. :-))
– J.P. Tosoni
yesterday
add a comment |
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
In this special context I would use:
Es ist mir schleierhaft, wie du den Wein über dein weißes Hemd schütten konntest.
The word comes from Schleier (veil) und therefore implies some restricted vision. Is wine really, what the child would handle?
Another option would be rätselhaft (translating to riddles me).
answered 2 days ago
guidotguidot
12.3k1546
1
Upvote, because a direct (verbatim) translation is less idiomatic.
– Stephie
2 days ago
So this would be how a father would scold his child?
– Carma
2 days ago
Unvorstellbar is fitting in that context as well
– Zibelas
yesterday
@guidot The restriction on alcohol consumption is not so universal - if I'm not mistaken, French children (well, starting at about 11-12 years of age) are allowed some wine from time to time.
– Carma
yesterday
add a comment |
Unergründlich is the more suitable word compared to undurchschaubar.
Es ist mir unergründlich, wie du es geschafft hast Wein auf dein weißes Hemd zu schütten/kippen.
Alternatively you could also use "unfassbar".
Es ist unfassbar, wie du es geschafft hast Wein auf dein weißes Hemd zu schütten/kippen.
There is a slight difference between the two. While "unergründlich" marks the lack of finding the underlying reasoning ("Grund") of the action (The why),
"unfassbar is more concerned with the action itself and how it is even possible to pull of (maybe even repeatedly), you simply can not get a firm grip ("fassen") on the concept (The how).
When it comes to the bible quote, the following is the most common translation.
Die Wege des Herrn sind unergründlich.
answered Jan 13 at 5:51
BestGuessBestGuess
1943
Thanks! Is there another option that I did not list? I mean for the word to have negative connotation, as in - "You did something so stupid! It's unfathomable to me why you did it."
– Carma
2 days ago
@Carma: i think "unfassbar" already carries a fair share of negative connotations. Alternatively you could use "unglaublich". In a scenario of a parent who is scolding a spilling kid for the millionth time, I'd prefer "unfassbar". In your second scenario, i would connect the expression with the already present negative word. "Du hast etwas unfassbar dummes/bescheuertes gesagt. Wie konntest du nur?"
– BestGuess
2 days ago
I like "unergründlich". The verb "to fathom" (ausloten) seems be closely connected to "ergründen". In Grimms' Deutsches Wörterbuch you find "einen Brunnen mit dem Wurfblei ergründen; die Tiefe des Flusses ist nicht zu ergründen".
– Frank from Frankfurt
yesterday
add a comment |
"Unfassbar" should be the most accurate translation.
"Unfathomable" has a meaning in the sense that it is not possible to get your mind arounds something, because you don't see where it begins or where it ends. This is the same for "unfassbar".
"Schleierhaft" goes more in a direction of not being able to see clearly, why something ist the way it is.
"Unergründlich" means you are not able to get to the bottom of something. This also has a literal match by Grund being the noun of "unergründlich", which can be used as the "bottom" of a river (bis auf den Grund sehen).
"Unbegreiflich" is very close in meaning, but hints a bit more to a limit in the ability of understanding something on an intellecutal level. "Unfassbar" puts the issue even above possible comprehension.
answered 2 days ago
JavatasseJavatasse
1,48619
add a comment |
In this type of sentence, you would generally not use any adjective in a "es ist mir..." construction. Instead, it feels more natural to use a verb:
Ich verstehe überhaupt nicht, wie du es schon wieder geschafft hast,
Wein zu verschütten.
The adjective (or noun) would be pushed into an additional sentence after this, such as:
Das ist mir unergründlich. (closest to what you want)
Dafür habe ich kein Verständnis. (more colloquial)
Das
ist mir unbegreiflich. (this one sounds quite somber)
"Undurchschaubar" is not suitable in this context. It is not normally used in a "es ist mir..." form, but more commonly with a noun:
Ein undurchschaubarer Plan.
Sein Gesichtsausdruck ist undurchschaubar.
answered yesterday
KWeissKWeiss
926213
add a comment |
Your Answer
StackExchange.ready(function() {
var channelOptions = {
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "253"
};
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);
StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
createEditor();
});
}
else {
createEditor();
}
});
function createEditor() {
StackExchange.prepareEditor({
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: false,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: null,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader: {
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
},
noCode: true, onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
});
}
});
Carma is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fgerman.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f48753%2fcorrect-word-for-unfathomable%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
In this special context I would use:
Es ist mir schleierhaft, wie du den Wein über dein weißes Hemd schütten konntest.
The word comes from Schleier (veil) und therefore implies some restricted vision. Is wine really, what the child would handle?
Another option would be rätselhaft (translating to riddles me).
answered 2 days ago
guidotguidot
12.3k1546
1
Upvote, because a direct (verbatim) translation is less idiomatic.
– Stephie
2 days ago
So this would be how a father would scold his child?
– Carma
2 days ago
Unvorstellbar is fitting in that context as well
– Zibelas
yesterday
@guidot The restriction on alcohol consumption is not so universal - if I'm not mistaken, French children (well, starting at about 11-12 years of age) are allowed some wine from time to time.
– Carma
yesterday
add a comment |
In this special context I would use:
Es ist mir schleierhaft, wie du den Wein über dein weißes Hemd schütten konntest.
The word comes from Schleier (veil) und therefore implies some restricted vision. Is wine really, what the child would handle?
Another option would be rätselhaft (translating to riddles me).
answered 2 days ago
guidotguidot
12.3k1546
1
Upvote, because a direct (verbatim) translation is less idiomatic.
– Stephie
2 days ago
So this would be how a father would scold his child?
– Carma
2 days ago
Unvorstellbar is fitting in that context as well
– Zibelas
yesterday
@guidot The restriction on alcohol consumption is not so universal - if I'm not mistaken, French children (well, starting at about 11-12 years of age) are allowed some wine from time to time.
– Carma
yesterday
add a comment |
In this special context I would use:
Es ist mir schleierhaft, wie du den Wein über dein weißes Hemd schütten konntest.
The word comes from Schleier (veil) und therefore implies some restricted vision. Is wine really, what the child would handle?
Another option would be rätselhaft (translating to riddles me).
answered 2 days ago
guidotguidot
12.3k1546
In this special context I would use:
Es ist mir schleierhaft, wie du den Wein über dein weißes Hemd schütten konntest.
The word comes from Schleier (veil) und therefore implies some restricted vision. Is wine really, what the child would handle?
Another option would be rätselhaft (translating to riddles me).
answered 2 days ago
guidotguidot
12.3k1546
edited 2 days ago
answered 2 days ago
guidotguidot
12.3k1546
answered 2 days ago
guidotguidot
12.3k1546
answered 2 days ago
guidotguidot
12.3k1546
12.3k1546
1
Upvote, because a direct (verbatim) translation is less idiomatic.
– Stephie
2 days ago
So this would be how a father would scold his child?
– Carma
2 days ago
Unvorstellbar is fitting in that context as well
– Zibelas
yesterday
@guidot The restriction on alcohol consumption is not so universal - if I'm not mistaken, French children (well, starting at about 11-12 years of age) are allowed some wine from time to time.
– Carma
yesterday
add a comment |
1
Upvote, because a direct (verbatim) translation is less idiomatic.
– Stephie
2 days ago
So this would be how a father would scold his child?
– Carma
2 days ago
Unvorstellbar is fitting in that context as well
– Zibelas
yesterday
@guidot The restriction on alcohol consumption is not so universal - if I'm not mistaken, French children (well, starting at about 11-12 years of age) are allowed some wine from time to time.
– Carma
yesterday
1
1
Upvote, because a direct (verbatim) translation is less idiomatic.
– Stephie
2 days ago
Upvote, because a direct (verbatim) translation is less idiomatic.
– Stephie
2 days ago
So this would be how a father would scold his child?
– Carma
2 days ago
So this would be how a father would scold his child?
– Carma
2 days ago
Unvorstellbar is fitting in that context as well
– Zibelas
yesterday
Unvorstellbar is fitting in that context as well
– Zibelas
yesterday
@guidot The restriction on alcohol consumption is not so universal - if I'm not mistaken, French children (well, starting at about 11-12 years of age) are allowed some wine from time to time.
– Carma
yesterday
@guidot The restriction on alcohol consumption is not so universal - if I'm not mistaken, French children (well, starting at about 11-12 years of age) are allowed some wine from time to time.
– Carma
yesterday
add a comment |
Unergründlich is the more suitable word compared to undurchschaubar.
Es ist mir unergründlich, wie du es geschafft hast Wein auf dein weißes Hemd zu schütten/kippen.
Alternatively you could also use "unfassbar".
Es ist unfassbar, wie du es geschafft hast Wein auf dein weißes Hemd zu schütten/kippen.
There is a slight difference between the two. While "unergründlich" marks the lack of finding the underlying reasoning ("Grund") of the action (The why),
"unfassbar is more concerned with the action itself and how it is even possible to pull of (maybe even repeatedly), you simply can not get a firm grip ("fassen") on the concept (The how).
When it comes to the bible quote, the following is the most common translation.
Die Wege des Herrn sind unergründlich.
answered Jan 13 at 5:51
BestGuessBestGuess
1943
Thanks! Is there another option that I did not list? I mean for the word to have negative connotation, as in - "You did something so stupid! It's unfathomable to me why you did it."
– Carma
2 days ago
@Carma: i think "unfassbar" already carries a fair share of negative connotations. Alternatively you could use "unglaublich". In a scenario of a parent who is scolding a spilling kid for the millionth time, I'd prefer "unfassbar". In your second scenario, i would connect the expression with the already present negative word. "Du hast etwas unfassbar dummes/bescheuertes gesagt. Wie konntest du nur?"
– BestGuess
2 days ago
I like "unergründlich". The verb "to fathom" (ausloten) seems be closely connected to "ergründen". In Grimms' Deutsches Wörterbuch you find "einen Brunnen mit dem Wurfblei ergründen; die Tiefe des Flusses ist nicht zu ergründen".
– Frank from Frankfurt
yesterday
add a comment |
Unergründlich is the more suitable word compared to undurchschaubar.
Es ist mir unergründlich, wie du es geschafft hast Wein auf dein weißes Hemd zu schütten/kippen.
Alternatively you could also use "unfassbar".
Es ist unfassbar, wie du es geschafft hast Wein auf dein weißes Hemd zu schütten/kippen.
There is a slight difference between the two. While "unergründlich" marks the lack of finding the underlying reasoning ("Grund") of the action (The why),
"unfassbar is more concerned with the action itself and how it is even possible to pull of (maybe even repeatedly), you simply can not get a firm grip ("fassen") on the concept (The how).
When it comes to the bible quote, the following is the most common translation.
Die Wege des Herrn sind unergründlich.
answered Jan 13 at 5:51
BestGuessBestGuess
1943
Thanks! Is there another option that I did not list? I mean for the word to have negative connotation, as in - "You did something so stupid! It's unfathomable to me why you did it."
– Carma
2 days ago
@Carma: i think "unfassbar" already carries a fair share of negative connotations. Alternatively you could use "unglaublich". In a scenario of a parent who is scolding a spilling kid for the millionth time, I'd prefer "unfassbar". In your second scenario, i would connect the expression with the already present negative word. "Du hast etwas unfassbar dummes/bescheuertes gesagt. Wie konntest du nur?"
– BestGuess
2 days ago
I like "unergründlich". The verb "to fathom" (ausloten) seems be closely connected to "ergründen". In Grimms' Deutsches Wörterbuch you find "einen Brunnen mit dem Wurfblei ergründen; die Tiefe des Flusses ist nicht zu ergründen".
– Frank from Frankfurt
yesterday
add a comment |
Unergründlich is the more suitable word compared to undurchschaubar.
Es ist mir unergründlich, wie du es geschafft hast Wein auf dein weißes Hemd zu schütten/kippen.
Alternatively you could also use "unfassbar".
Es ist unfassbar, wie du es geschafft hast Wein auf dein weißes Hemd zu schütten/kippen.
There is a slight difference between the two. While "unergründlich" marks the lack of finding the underlying reasoning ("Grund") of the action (The why),
"unfassbar is more concerned with the action itself and how it is even possible to pull of (maybe even repeatedly), you simply can not get a firm grip ("fassen") on the concept (The how).
When it comes to the bible quote, the following is the most common translation.
Die Wege des Herrn sind unergründlich.
answered Jan 13 at 5:51
BestGuessBestGuess
1943
Unergründlich is the more suitable word compared to undurchschaubar.
Es ist mir unergründlich, wie du es geschafft hast Wein auf dein weißes Hemd zu schütten/kippen.
Alternatively you could also use "unfassbar".
Es ist unfassbar, wie du es geschafft hast Wein auf dein weißes Hemd zu schütten/kippen.
There is a slight difference between the two. While "unergründlich" marks the lack of finding the underlying reasoning ("Grund") of the action (The why),
"unfassbar is more concerned with the action itself and how it is even possible to pull of (maybe even repeatedly), you simply can not get a firm grip ("fassen") on the concept (The how).
When it comes to the bible quote, the following is the most common translation.
Die Wege des Herrn sind unergründlich.
answered Jan 13 at 5:51
BestGuessBestGuess
1943
edited Jan 13 at 5:56
answered Jan 13 at 5:51
BestGuessBestGuess
1943
answered Jan 13 at 5:51
BestGuessBestGuess
1943
answered Jan 13 at 5:51
BestGuessBestGuess
1943
1943
Thanks! Is there another option that I did not list? I mean for the word to have negative connotation, as in - "You did something so stupid! It's unfathomable to me why you did it."
– Carma
2 days ago
@Carma: i think "unfassbar" already carries a fair share of negative connotations. Alternatively you could use "unglaublich". In a scenario of a parent who is scolding a spilling kid for the millionth time, I'd prefer "unfassbar". In your second scenario, i would connect the expression with the already present negative word. "Du hast etwas unfassbar dummes/bescheuertes gesagt. Wie konntest du nur?"
– BestGuess
2 days ago
I like "unergründlich". The verb "to fathom" (ausloten) seems be closely connected to "ergründen". In Grimms' Deutsches Wörterbuch you find "einen Brunnen mit dem Wurfblei ergründen; die Tiefe des Flusses ist nicht zu ergründen".
– Frank from Frankfurt
yesterday
add a comment |
Thanks! Is there another option that I did not list? I mean for the word to have negative connotation, as in - "You did something so stupid! It's unfathomable to me why you did it."
– Carma
2 days ago
@Carma: i think "unfassbar" already carries a fair share of negative connotations. Alternatively you could use "unglaublich". In a scenario of a parent who is scolding a spilling kid for the millionth time, I'd prefer "unfassbar". In your second scenario, i would connect the expression with the already present negative word. "Du hast etwas unfassbar dummes/bescheuertes gesagt. Wie konntest du nur?"
– BestGuess
2 days ago
I like "unergründlich". The verb "to fathom" (ausloten) seems be closely connected to "ergründen". In Grimms' Deutsches Wörterbuch you find "einen Brunnen mit dem Wurfblei ergründen; die Tiefe des Flusses ist nicht zu ergründen".
– Frank from Frankfurt
yesterday
Thanks! Is there another option that I did not list? I mean for the word to have negative connotation, as in - "You did something so stupid! It's unfathomable to me why you did it."
– Carma
2 days ago
Thanks! Is there another option that I did not list? I mean for the word to have negative connotation, as in - "You did something so stupid! It's unfathomable to me why you did it."
– Carma
2 days ago
@Carma: i think "unfassbar" already carries a fair share of negative connotations. Alternatively you could use "unglaublich". In a scenario of a parent who is scolding a spilling kid for the millionth time, I'd prefer "unfassbar". In your second scenario, i would connect the expression with the already present negative word. "Du hast etwas unfassbar dummes/bescheuertes gesagt. Wie konntest du nur?"
– BestGuess
2 days ago
@Carma: i think "unfassbar" already carries a fair share of negative connotations. Alternatively you could use "unglaublich". In a scenario of a parent who is scolding a spilling kid for the millionth time, I'd prefer "unfassbar". In your second scenario, i would connect the expression with the already present negative word. "Du hast etwas unfassbar dummes/bescheuertes gesagt. Wie konntest du nur?"
– BestGuess
2 days ago
I like "unergründlich". The verb "to fathom" (ausloten) seems be closely connected to "ergründen". In Grimms' Deutsches Wörterbuch you find "einen Brunnen mit dem Wurfblei ergründen; die Tiefe des Flusses ist nicht zu ergründen".
– Frank from Frankfurt
yesterday
I like "unergründlich". The verb "to fathom" (ausloten) seems be closely connected to "ergründen". In Grimms' Deutsches Wörterbuch you find "einen Brunnen mit dem Wurfblei ergründen; die Tiefe des Flusses ist nicht zu ergründen".
– Frank from Frankfurt
yesterday
add a comment |
"Unfassbar" should be the most accurate translation.
"Unfathomable" has a meaning in the sense that it is not possible to get your mind arounds something, because you don't see where it begins or where it ends. This is the same for "unfassbar".
"Schleierhaft" goes more in a direction of not being able to see clearly, why something ist the way it is.
"Unergründlich" means you are not able to get to the bottom of something. This also has a literal match by Grund being the noun of "unergründlich", which can be used as the "bottom" of a river (bis auf den Grund sehen).
"Unbegreiflich" is very close in meaning, but hints a bit more to a limit in the ability of understanding something on an intellecutal level. "Unfassbar" puts the issue even above possible comprehension.
answered 2 days ago
JavatasseJavatasse
1,48619
add a comment |
"Unfassbar" should be the most accurate translation.
"Unfathomable" has a meaning in the sense that it is not possible to get your mind arounds something, because you don't see where it begins or where it ends. This is the same for "unfassbar".
"Schleierhaft" goes more in a direction of not being able to see clearly, why something ist the way it is.
"Unergründlich" means you are not able to get to the bottom of something. This also has a literal match by Grund being the noun of "unergründlich", which can be used as the "bottom" of a river (bis auf den Grund sehen).
"Unbegreiflich" is very close in meaning, but hints a bit more to a limit in the ability of understanding something on an intellecutal level. "Unfassbar" puts the issue even above possible comprehension.
answered 2 days ago
JavatasseJavatasse
1,48619
add a comment |
"Unfassbar" should be the most accurate translation.
"Unfathomable" has a meaning in the sense that it is not possible to get your mind arounds something, because you don't see where it begins or where it ends. This is the same for "unfassbar".
"Schleierhaft" goes more in a direction of not being able to see clearly, why something ist the way it is.
"Unergründlich" means you are not able to get to the bottom of something. This also has a literal match by Grund being the noun of "unergründlich", which can be used as the "bottom" of a river (bis auf den Grund sehen).
"Unbegreiflich" is very close in meaning, but hints a bit more to a limit in the ability of understanding something on an intellecutal level. "Unfassbar" puts the issue even above possible comprehension.
answered 2 days ago
JavatasseJavatasse
1,48619
"Unfassbar" should be the most accurate translation.
"Unfathomable" has a meaning in the sense that it is not possible to get your mind arounds something, because you don't see where it begins or where it ends. This is the same for "unfassbar".
"Schleierhaft" goes more in a direction of not being able to see clearly, why something ist the way it is.
"Unergründlich" means you are not able to get to the bottom of something. This also has a literal match by Grund being the noun of "unergründlich", which can be used as the "bottom" of a river (bis auf den Grund sehen).
"Unbegreiflich" is very close in meaning, but hints a bit more to a limit in the ability of understanding something on an intellecutal level. "Unfassbar" puts the issue even above possible comprehension.
answered 2 days ago
JavatasseJavatasse
1,48619
edited 2 days ago
answered 2 days ago
JavatasseJavatasse
1,48619
answered 2 days ago
JavatasseJavatasse
1,48619
answered 2 days ago
JavatasseJavatasse
1,48619
1,48619
add a comment |
add a comment |
In this type of sentence, you would generally not use any adjective in a "es ist mir..." construction. Instead, it feels more natural to use a verb:
Ich verstehe überhaupt nicht, wie du es schon wieder geschafft hast,
Wein zu verschütten.
The adjective (or noun) would be pushed into an additional sentence after this, such as:
Das ist mir unergründlich. (closest to what you want)
Dafür habe ich kein Verständnis. (more colloquial)
Das
ist mir unbegreiflich. (this one sounds quite somber)
"Undurchschaubar" is not suitable in this context. It is not normally used in a "es ist mir..." form, but more commonly with a noun:
Ein undurchschaubarer Plan.
Sein Gesichtsausdruck ist undurchschaubar.
answered yesterday
KWeissKWeiss
926213
add a comment |
In this type of sentence, you would generally not use any adjective in a "es ist mir..." construction. Instead, it feels more natural to use a verb:
Ich verstehe überhaupt nicht, wie du es schon wieder geschafft hast,
Wein zu verschütten.
The adjective (or noun) would be pushed into an additional sentence after this, such as:
Das ist mir unergründlich. (closest to what you want)
Dafür habe ich kein Verständnis. (more colloquial)
Das
ist mir unbegreiflich. (this one sounds quite somber)
"Undurchschaubar" is not suitable in this context. It is not normally used in a "es ist mir..." form, but more commonly with a noun:
Ein undurchschaubarer Plan.
Sein Gesichtsausdruck ist undurchschaubar.
answered yesterday
KWeissKWeiss
926213
add a comment |
In this type of sentence, you would generally not use any adjective in a "es ist mir..." construction. Instead, it feels more natural to use a verb:
Ich verstehe überhaupt nicht, wie du es schon wieder geschafft hast,
Wein zu verschütten.
The adjective (or noun) would be pushed into an additional sentence after this, such as:
Das ist mir unergründlich. (closest to what you want)
Dafür habe ich kein Verständnis. (more colloquial)
Das
ist mir unbegreiflich. (this one sounds quite somber)
"Undurchschaubar" is not suitable in this context. It is not normally used in a "es ist mir..." form, but more commonly with a noun:
Ein undurchschaubarer Plan.
Sein Gesichtsausdruck ist undurchschaubar.
answered yesterday
KWeissKWeiss
926213
In this type of sentence, you would generally not use any adjective in a "es ist mir..." construction. Instead, it feels more natural to use a verb:
Ich verstehe überhaupt nicht, wie du es schon wieder geschafft hast,
Wein zu verschütten.
The adjective (or noun) would be pushed into an additional sentence after this, such as:
Das ist mir unergründlich. (closest to what you want)
Dafür habe ich kein Verständnis. (more colloquial)
Das
ist mir unbegreiflich. (this one sounds quite somber)
"Undurchschaubar" is not suitable in this context. It is not normally used in a "es ist mir..." form, but more commonly with a noun:
Ein undurchschaubarer Plan.
Sein Gesichtsausdruck ist undurchschaubar.
answered yesterday
KWeissKWeiss
926213
edited yesterday
answered yesterday
KWeissKWeiss
926213
answered yesterday
KWeissKWeiss
926213
answered yesterday
KWeissKWeiss
926213
926213
add a comment |
add a comment |
Carma is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Carma is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Carma is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Carma is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Thanks for contributing an answer to German Language Stack Exchange!
- Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!
But avoid …
- Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
- Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fgerman.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f48753%2fcorrect-word-for-unfathomable%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
5
Another aside: Why on earth did the child have wine in their hands !? ;-)
– Peter A. Schneider
2 days ago
@userunknown Ah, right: child is a homophone (indicates relatedness, or age). But why would somebody berate their adult child like that? ;-).
– Peter A. Schneider
yesterday
The child is obviously quite neglected by his parents :(
– Carma
yesterday
@Carma: about French children... it depends on the family customs, but it has become rather rare nowadays. :-))
– J.P. Tosoni
yesterday