mysterious
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mysterious
Hard to understand, explain, or interpret; secretive and mysterious.
Sein plötzliches Verschwinden unter rätselhaften Umständen beschäftigt die Polizei noch immer.
His sudden disappearance under mysterious circumstances is still occupying the police.
The word is made up of 'das Rätsel' (the riddle/puzzle) and the suffix '-haft' (-like). Something that is 'rätselhaft' (mysterious) therefore has the qualities of a riddle or puzzle—it is hard to understand.
Die Polizei steht vor einem rätselhaften Fall.
The police are faced with a mysterious case.
'Rätselhaft' (mysterious) often describes mysterious things or situations. Typical combinations are 'ein rätselhafter Vorfall' (a mysterious incident), 'ein rätselhaftes Lächeln' (a mysterious smile), or 'rätselhafte Umstände' (mysterious circumstances).
Ihr plötzliches Verschwinden bleibt rätselhaft.
Her sudden disappearance remains mysterious.
The adjective is often used with verbs such as 'bleiben' (to remain), 'wirken' (to seem), or 'erscheinen' (to appear) to describe an ongoing state of uncertainty.
Die Ursache des Feuers ist bis heute rätselhaft geblieben.
The cause of the fire has remained mysterious to this day.
clear
'klar' and 'rätselhaft' are opposites when it comes to understanding. Something is 'klar' if you can understand it easily and no important questions remain open. Something is 'rätselhaft' if you cannot explain it well or if it seems mysterious. So 'klar' fits an understandable statement or situation, while 'rätselhaft' fits something uncertain, strange, or hard to interpret.
Ihr Verhalten nach dem Gespräch war für alle rätselhaft.
Her behavior after the conversation was mysterious to everyone.
Nach der Erklärung der Ärztin war mir der nächste Schritt klar.
After the doctor's explanation, the next step was clear to me.