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" such as "The lord moves in mysterious ways" which It think is unergründlich, because the father is speaking with anger and frustration.
word-choice single-word-request
asked 4 hours ago
CarmaCarma
62
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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" such as "The lord moves in mysterious ways" which It think is unergründlich, because the father is speaking with anger and frustration.
word-choice single-word-request
asked 4 hours ago
CarmaCarma
62
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.
A father shouldn't talk like this at all, because it's a phrase without a conclusion. It's just an accusation. There's nothing to learn from that but resent. A better way to express what you want —that the child should take more care— is bringing it up straight to the point that you want that, and why: »Carma, sieh dich bitte mit dem Wein vor! Die Flecken gehen so schlecht wieder raus.«
– Janka
1 hour ago
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" such as "The lord moves in mysterious ways" which It think is unergründlich, because the father is speaking with anger and frustration.
word-choice single-word-request
asked 4 hours ago
CarmaCarma
62
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" such as "The lord moves in mysterious ways" which It think is unergründlich, because the father is speaking with anger and frustration.
word-choice single-word-request
word-choice single-word-request
asked 4 hours ago
CarmaCarma
62
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 4 hours ago
CarmaCarma
62
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 4 hours ago
Carma
asked 4 hours ago
CarmaCarma
62
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 4 hours ago
CarmaCarma
62
asked 4 hours ago
CarmaCarma
62
62
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.
A father shouldn't talk like this at all, because it's a phrase without a conclusion. It's just an accusation. There's nothing to learn from that but resent. A better way to express what you want —that the child should take more care— is bringing it up straight to the point that you want that, and why: »Carma, sieh dich bitte mit dem Wein vor! Die Flecken gehen so schlecht wieder raus.«
– Janka
1 hour ago
add a comment |
A father shouldn't talk like this at all, because it's a phrase without a conclusion. It's just an accusation. There's nothing to learn from that but resent. A better way to express what you want —that the child should take more care— is bringing it up straight to the point that you want that, and why: »Carma, sieh dich bitte mit dem Wein vor! Die Flecken gehen so schlecht wieder raus.«
– Janka
1 hour ago
A father shouldn't talk like this at all, because it's a phrase without a conclusion. It's just an accusation. There's nothing to learn from that but resent. A better way to express what you want —that the child should take more care— is bringing it up straight to the point that you want that, and why: »Carma, sieh dich bitte mit dem Wein vor! Die Flecken gehen so schlecht wieder raus.«
– Janka
1 hour ago
A father shouldn't talk like this at all, because it's a phrase without a conclusion. It's just an accusation. There's nothing to learn from that but resent. A better way to express what you want —that the child should take more care— is bringing it up straight to the point that you want that, and why: »Carma, sieh dich bitte mit dem Wein vor! Die Flecken gehen so schlecht wieder raus.«
– Janka
1 hour ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
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 4 hours ago
BestGuessBestGuess
1542
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
1 hour 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
1 hour ago
add a comment |
In this special context I would use:
Es ist mir schleierhaft, ...
The word comes from Schleier (veil) und therefore implies some restricted vision.
answered 1 hour ago
guidotguidot
12.1k1544
add a comment |
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
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active
oldest
votes
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 4 hours ago
BestGuessBestGuess
1542
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
1 hour 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
1 hour ago
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 4 hours ago
BestGuessBestGuess
1542
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
1 hour 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
1 hour ago
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 4 hours ago
BestGuessBestGuess
1542
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 4 hours ago
BestGuessBestGuess
1542
edited 4 hours ago
answered 4 hours ago
BestGuessBestGuess
1542
answered 4 hours ago
BestGuessBestGuess
1542
answered 4 hours ago
BestGuessBestGuess
1542
1542
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
1 hour 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
1 hour ago
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
1 hour 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
1 hour 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
1 hour 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
1 hour 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
1 hour 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
1 hour ago
add a comment |
In this special context I would use:
Es ist mir schleierhaft, ...
The word comes from Schleier (veil) und therefore implies some restricted vision.
answered 1 hour ago
guidotguidot
12.1k1544
add a comment |
In this special context I would use:
Es ist mir schleierhaft, ...
The word comes from Schleier (veil) und therefore implies some restricted vision.
answered 1 hour ago
guidotguidot
12.1k1544
add a comment |
In this special context I would use:
Es ist mir schleierhaft, ...
The word comes from Schleier (veil) und therefore implies some restricted vision.
answered 1 hour ago
guidotguidot
12.1k1544
In this special context I would use:
Es ist mir schleierhaft, ...
The word comes from Schleier (veil) und therefore implies some restricted vision.
answered 1 hour ago
guidotguidot
12.1k1544
answered 1 hour ago
guidotguidot
12.1k1544
answered 1 hour ago
guidotguidot
12.1k1544
answered 1 hour ago
guidotguidot
12.1k1544
12.1k1544
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.
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A father shouldn't talk like this at all, because it's a phrase without a conclusion. It's just an accusation. There's nothing to learn from that but resent. A better way to express what you want —that the child should take more care— is bringing it up straight to the point that you want that, and why: »Carma, sieh dich bitte mit dem Wein vor! Die Flecken gehen so schlecht wieder raus.«
– Janka
1 hour ago