to decrypt / decipher
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to decrypt
To transform encrypted, coded, or secret information back into its original, readable form. This is done with the help of a key or a specific method.
Dem Geheimdienst gelang es, die verschlüsselte Nachricht des Feindes zu entschlüsseln.
The intelligence service succeeded in decrypting the enemy's encrypted message.
to decipher
To understand and explain something complex, puzzling, or difficult to understand through thought and analysis.
Wissenschaftler versuchen seit Jahrzehnten, das komplexe Verhalten dieser Tiere zu entschlüsseln.
Scientists have been trying for decades to decipher the complex behavior of these animals.
The verb is derived from 'der Schlüssel' (the key). The prefix 'ent-' here means something like 'remove' or 'reverse'. So 'entschlüsseln' (to decrypt/decipher) literally means to undo encryption.
Ohne das Passwort kann man die Datei nicht entschlüsseln.
Without the password, you cannot decrypt the file.
'Entschlüsseln' (to decrypt/decipher) is an inseparable verb because it begins with 'ent-'. The prefix remains firmly attached to the verb stem in all sentence forms and tenses.
Die Expertin entschlüsselte die geheime Botschaft.
The expert decrypted the secret message.
The object of the verb reveals the meaning. If it involves technical things like 'Code' (code), 'Nachricht' (message), or 'Datei' (file), the literal meaning is intended. With abstract things like 'Rätsel' (riddle), 'Geheimnis' (secret), or 'Verhalten' (behavior), the figurative meaning is intended.
Man braucht spezielle Software, um die Festplatte zu entschlüsseln.
You need special software to decrypt the hard drive.
In the technical meaning, 'entschlüsseln' (to decrypt) is often combined with digital or secret information: eine E-Mail entschlüsseln (to decrypt an email), Daten entschlüsseln (to decrypt data), eine Kommunikation entschlüsseln (to decrypt a communication).
Der Agent musste den Funkspruch schnell entschlüsseln.
The agent had to decrypt the radio message quickly.
In the figurative meaning, the verb is often used for complex or mysterious things: ein Rätsel entschlüsseln (to decipher a riddle), ein Geheimnis entschlüsseln (to decipher a secret), das menschliche Genom entschlüsseln (to decipher the human genome).
Der Detektiv konnte das komplexe Rätsel nach langer Arbeit entschlüsseln.
After a long effort, the detective was able to decipher the complex riddle.
to decipher
Entschlüsseln is used when a message has been deliberately encrypted or encoded and is made readable again using a method. Entziffern, by contrast, means successfully reading hard-to-recognize letters, symbols, or even a code. Encryption is not necessarily involved.
Mit dem passenden Schlüssel konnte sie die codierte Nachricht entschlüsseln.
With the right key, she was able to decrypt the coded message.
Mit einer Lupe konnte sie die verblasste Nachricht entziffern.
With a magnifying glass, she was able to decipher the faded message.
