crystal clear
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crystal clear
In a figurative sense: completely clear, unambiguous, and immediately understandable to everyone. It means that there is no room for doubt or interpretation.
Seine Anweisungen waren glasklar, sodass jeder wusste, was zu tun war.
His instructions were crystal clear, so everyone knew what had to be done.
The word is a compound of 'Glas' (glass) and 'klar' (clear). Its literal meaning is therefore 'as clear as glass'. This origin explains both the meaning 'durchsichtig' (transparent) and the figurative meaning 'eindeutig' (unambiguous/clear).
Die Fensterscheiben waren nach dem Putzen wieder glasklar.
After cleaning, the windowpanes were crystal clear again.
You can tell from the context whether the literal or figurative meaning is intended. If 'glasklar' (crystal clear) refers to something physical like water or air, it is meant literally. If it refers to something abstract like an answer or a rule, it is meant figuratively.
Das Wasser in der Karibik ist glasklar. (wörtlich)
The water in the Caribbean is crystal clear. (literal)
In the figurative meaning 'eindeutig' (unambiguous/clear), 'glasklar' (crystal clear) is often used with abstract nouns. Typical combinations are: 'eine glasklare Ansage' (a crystal-clear announcement), 'ein glasklarer Beweis' (crystal-clear proof), 'eine glasklare Antwort' (a crystal-clear answer), or 'ein glasklarer Vorteil' (a crystal-clear advantage).
Für mich ist das ein glasklarer Fall von Betrug.
To me, this is a crystal-clear case of fraud.
'Glasklar' (crystal clearly) is very often used as an adverb to emphasize how unambiguous a statement or position is. It then often comes directly before the verb or an adjective.
Der Trainer hat glasklar gesagt, wer am Samstag spielt.
The coach said crystal clearly who would play on Saturday.
clear
'klar' and 'glasklar' can both mean that something is easy to understand or transparent. But 'glasklar' is stronger. It means: completely clear, without doubt, or very clean and transparent like glass. 'klar' is more neutral and fits many more everyday situations. Learners may confuse the words because both are often used with explanations, water, or images. If you only want to say that something is understandable, 'klar' is usually enough. If you especially want to emphasize that there is really no doubt left, 'glasklar' fits better.
Das Wasser im Bergsee ist glasklar.
The water in the mountain lake is crystal clear.
Nach der Erklärung war mir die Aufgabe klar.
After the explanation, the task was clear to me.