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.
mysterious
Geheimnisvoll and rätselhaft can both describe something hidden or difficult to interpret. „Geheimnisvoll“ emphasizes more strongly a fascinating effect or a possibly deliberately concealed meaning, while „rätselhaft“ highlights the lack of comprehensibility. Use „geheimnisvoll“ for an appealing effect and „rätselhaft“ for something that is almost impossible to interpret.
Seine rätselhafte Antwort war selbst nach mehreren Erklärungen nicht zu verstehen.
Even after several explanations, his puzzling answer was still impossible to understand.
Ihr geheimnisvolles Lächeln ließ vermuten, dass sie etwas verschwieg.
Her mysterious smile suggested that she was keeping something secret.
