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 Jan 13 at 14:41
Wrzlprmft♦
18.3k445110
asked Jan 13 at 5:43
CarmaCarma
363
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 Jan 13 at 14:41
Wrzlprmft♦
18.3k445110
asked Jan 13 at 5:43
CarmaCarma
363
6
Another aside: Why on earth did the child have wine in their hands !? ;-)
– Peter A. Schneider
Jan 13 at 12:05
@userunknown Ah, right: child is a homophone (indicates relatedness, or age). But why would somebody berate their adult child like that? ;-).
– Peter A. Schneider
Jan 14 at 11:33
The child is obviously quite neglected by his parents :(
– Carma
Jan 14 at 13:46
@Carma: about French children... it depends on the family customs, but it has become rather rare nowadays. :-))
– J.P. Tosoni
Jan 14 at 14:40
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 Jan 13 at 14:41
Wrzlprmft♦
18.3k445110
asked Jan 13 at 5:43
CarmaCarma
363
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 Jan 13 at 14:41
Wrzlprmft♦
18.3k445110
asked Jan 13 at 5:43
CarmaCarma
363
edited Jan 13 at 14:41
Wrzlprmft♦
18.3k445110
asked Jan 13 at 5:43
CarmaCarma
363
edited Jan 13 at 14:41
Wrzlprmft♦
18.3k445110
edited Jan 13 at 14:41
Wrzlprmft♦
18.3k445110
edited Jan 13 at 14:41
Wrzlprmft♦
18.3k445110
18.3k445110
asked Jan 13 at 5:43
CarmaCarma
363
asked Jan 13 at 5:43
CarmaCarma
363
asked Jan 13 at 5:43
CarmaCarma
363
363
6
Another aside: Why on earth did the child have wine in their hands !? ;-)
– Peter A. Schneider
Jan 13 at 12:05
@userunknown Ah, right: child is a homophone (indicates relatedness, or age). But why would somebody berate their adult child like that? ;-).
– Peter A. Schneider
Jan 14 at 11:33
The child is obviously quite neglected by his parents :(
– Carma
Jan 14 at 13:46
@Carma: about French children... it depends on the family customs, but it has become rather rare nowadays. :-))
– J.P. Tosoni
Jan 14 at 14:40
add a comment |
6
Another aside: Why on earth did the child have wine in their hands !? ;-)
– Peter A. Schneider
Jan 13 at 12:05
@userunknown Ah, right: child is a homophone (indicates relatedness, or age). But why would somebody berate their adult child like that? ;-).
– Peter A. Schneider
Jan 14 at 11:33
The child is obviously quite neglected by his parents :(
– Carma
Jan 14 at 13:46
@Carma: about French children... it depends on the family customs, but it has become rather rare nowadays. :-))
– J.P. Tosoni
Jan 14 at 14:40
6
6
Another aside: Why on earth did the child have wine in their hands !? ;-)
– Peter A. Schneider
Jan 13 at 12:05
Another aside: Why on earth did the child have wine in their hands !? ;-)
– Peter A. Schneider
Jan 13 at 12:05
@userunknown Ah, right: child is a homophone (indicates relatedness, or age). But why would somebody berate their adult child like that? ;-).
– Peter A. Schneider
Jan 14 at 11:33
@userunknown Ah, right: child is a homophone (indicates relatedness, or age). But why would somebody berate their adult child like that? ;-).
– Peter A. Schneider
Jan 14 at 11:33
The child is obviously quite neglected by his parents :(
– Carma
Jan 14 at 13:46
The child is obviously quite neglected by his parents :(
– Carma
Jan 14 at 13:46
@Carma: about French children... it depends on the family customs, but it has become rather rare nowadays. :-))
– J.P. Tosoni
Jan 14 at 14:40
@Carma: about French children... it depends on the family customs, but it has become rather rare nowadays. :-))
– J.P. Tosoni
Jan 14 at 14:40
add a comment |
5 Answers
5
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 Jan 13 at 9:19
guidotguidot
12.3k1546
1
Upvote, because a direct (verbatim) translation is less idiomatic.
– Stephie
Jan 13 at 10:35
So this would be how a father would scold his child?
– Carma
Jan 13 at 15:31
Unvorstellbar is fitting in that context as well
– Zibelas
Jan 14 at 10:08
@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
Jan 14 at 13:52
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
3744
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
Jan 13 at 8:31
@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
Jan 13 at 8:41
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
Jan 14 at 12:19
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 Jan 13 at 15:05
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 Jan 14 at 9:58
KWeissKWeiss
926213
add a comment |
I would add to the schleierhaft of guidot and the ich verstehe nicht of KWeiss
"Unfassbar! Wie hast du es nur geschafft, Wein auf dein weißes Hemd zu schütten?"
or
"Ich fass' es nicht! Wie hast du es nur geschafft, Wein auf dein weißes Hemd zu schütten?"
This is a bit different from the sentence structure, but I think it transport the astonishment of the speaker
answered Jan 16 at 12:06
HerrSerkerHerrSerker
1114
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5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
5 Answers
5
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 Jan 13 at 9:19
guidotguidot
12.3k1546
1
Upvote, because a direct (verbatim) translation is less idiomatic.
– Stephie
Jan 13 at 10:35
So this would be how a father would scold his child?
– Carma
Jan 13 at 15:31
Unvorstellbar is fitting in that context as well
– Zibelas
Jan 14 at 10:08
@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
Jan 14 at 13:52
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 Jan 13 at 9:19
guidotguidot
12.3k1546
1
Upvote, because a direct (verbatim) translation is less idiomatic.
– Stephie
Jan 13 at 10:35
So this would be how a father would scold his child?
– Carma
Jan 13 at 15:31
Unvorstellbar is fitting in that context as well
– Zibelas
Jan 14 at 10:08
@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
Jan 14 at 13:52
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 Jan 13 at 9:19
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 Jan 13 at 9:19
guidotguidot
12.3k1546
edited Jan 13 at 22:04
answered Jan 13 at 9:19
guidotguidot
12.3k1546
answered Jan 13 at 9:19
guidotguidot
12.3k1546
answered Jan 13 at 9:19
guidotguidot
12.3k1546
12.3k1546
1
Upvote, because a direct (verbatim) translation is less idiomatic.
– Stephie
Jan 13 at 10:35
So this would be how a father would scold his child?
– Carma
Jan 13 at 15:31
Unvorstellbar is fitting in that context as well
– Zibelas
Jan 14 at 10:08
@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
Jan 14 at 13:52
add a comment |
1
Upvote, because a direct (verbatim) translation is less idiomatic.
– Stephie
Jan 13 at 10:35
So this would be how a father would scold his child?
– Carma
Jan 13 at 15:31
Unvorstellbar is fitting in that context as well
– Zibelas
Jan 14 at 10:08
@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
Jan 14 at 13:52
1
1
Upvote, because a direct (verbatim) translation is less idiomatic.
– Stephie
Jan 13 at 10:35
Upvote, because a direct (verbatim) translation is less idiomatic.
– Stephie
Jan 13 at 10:35
So this would be how a father would scold his child?
– Carma
Jan 13 at 15:31
So this would be how a father would scold his child?
– Carma
Jan 13 at 15:31
Unvorstellbar is fitting in that context as well
– Zibelas
Jan 14 at 10:08
Unvorstellbar is fitting in that context as well
– Zibelas
Jan 14 at 10:08
@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
Jan 14 at 13:52
@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
Jan 14 at 13:52
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
3744
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
Jan 13 at 8:31
@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
Jan 13 at 8:41
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
Jan 14 at 12:19
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
3744
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
Jan 13 at 8:31
@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
Jan 13 at 8:41
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
Jan 14 at 12:19
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
3744
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
3744
edited Jan 13 at 5:56
answered Jan 13 at 5:51
BestGuessBestGuess
3744
answered Jan 13 at 5:51
BestGuessBestGuess
3744
answered Jan 13 at 5:51
BestGuessBestGuess
3744
3744
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
Jan 13 at 8:31
@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
Jan 13 at 8:41
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
Jan 14 at 12:19
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
Jan 13 at 8:31
@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
Jan 13 at 8:41
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
Jan 14 at 12:19
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
Jan 13 at 8:31
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
Jan 13 at 8:31
@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
Jan 13 at 8:41
@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
Jan 13 at 8:41
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
Jan 14 at 12:19
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
Jan 14 at 12:19
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 Jan 13 at 15:05
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 Jan 13 at 15:05
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 Jan 13 at 15:05
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 Jan 13 at 15:05
JavatasseJavatasse
1,48619
edited Jan 13 at 18:36
answered Jan 13 at 15:05
JavatasseJavatasse
1,48619
answered Jan 13 at 15:05
JavatasseJavatasse
1,48619
answered Jan 13 at 15:05
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 Jan 14 at 9:58
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 Jan 14 at 9:58
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 Jan 14 at 9:58
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 Jan 14 at 9:58
KWeissKWeiss
926213
edited Jan 14 at 10:04
answered Jan 14 at 9:58
KWeissKWeiss
926213
answered Jan 14 at 9:58
KWeissKWeiss
926213
answered Jan 14 at 9:58
KWeissKWeiss
926213
926213
add a comment |
add a comment |
I would add to the schleierhaft of guidot and the ich verstehe nicht of KWeiss
"Unfassbar! Wie hast du es nur geschafft, Wein auf dein weißes Hemd zu schütten?"
or
"Ich fass' es nicht! Wie hast du es nur geschafft, Wein auf dein weißes Hemd zu schütten?"
This is a bit different from the sentence structure, but I think it transport the astonishment of the speaker
answered Jan 16 at 12:06
HerrSerkerHerrSerker
1114
New contributor
HerrSerker 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 |
I would add to the schleierhaft of guidot and the ich verstehe nicht of KWeiss
"Unfassbar! Wie hast du es nur geschafft, Wein auf dein weißes Hemd zu schütten?"
or
"Ich fass' es nicht! Wie hast du es nur geschafft, Wein auf dein weißes Hemd zu schütten?"
This is a bit different from the sentence structure, but I think it transport the astonishment of the speaker
answered Jan 16 at 12:06
HerrSerkerHerrSerker
1114
New contributor
HerrSerker 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 |
I would add to the schleierhaft of guidot and the ich verstehe nicht of KWeiss
"Unfassbar! Wie hast du es nur geschafft, Wein auf dein weißes Hemd zu schütten?"
or
"Ich fass' es nicht! Wie hast du es nur geschafft, Wein auf dein weißes Hemd zu schütten?"
This is a bit different from the sentence structure, but I think it transport the astonishment of the speaker
answered Jan 16 at 12:06
HerrSerkerHerrSerker
1114
New contributor
HerrSerker is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I would add to the schleierhaft of guidot and the ich verstehe nicht of KWeiss
"Unfassbar! Wie hast du es nur geschafft, Wein auf dein weißes Hemd zu schütten?"
or
"Ich fass' es nicht! Wie hast du es nur geschafft, Wein auf dein weißes Hemd zu schütten?"
This is a bit different from the sentence structure, but I think it transport the astonishment of the speaker
answered Jan 16 at 12:06
HerrSerkerHerrSerker
1114
New contributor
HerrSerker is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited Jan 16 at 13:07
answered Jan 16 at 12:06
HerrSerkerHerrSerker
1114
New contributor
HerrSerker is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered Jan 16 at 12:06
HerrSerkerHerrSerker
1114
answered Jan 16 at 12:06
HerrSerkerHerrSerker
1114
1114
New contributor
HerrSerker is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
HerrSerker is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
HerrSerker 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 |
add a comment |
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6
Another aside: Why on earth did the child have wine in their hands !? ;-)
– Peter A. Schneider
Jan 13 at 12:05
@userunknown Ah, right: child is a homophone (indicates relatedness, or age). But why would somebody berate their adult child like that? ;-).
– Peter A. Schneider
Jan 14 at 11:33
The child is obviously quite neglected by his parents :(
– Carma
Jan 14 at 13:46
@Carma: about French children... it depends on the family customs, but it has become rather rare nowadays. :-))
– J.P. Tosoni
Jan 14 at 14:40