to puzzle over
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to puzzle over
To think intensely about something in order to find a solution or explanation for a problem, a mystery, or an unclear situation.
Die Polizei rätselt noch immer über das Motiv des Täters.
The police are still puzzling over the perpetrator's motive.
The verb 'rätseln' (to puzzle over) is derived directly from the noun 'das Rätsel' (the riddle/puzzle). So when you 'rätseln', you are trying to solve a puzzle or find an answer to a difficult question.
Die Wissenschaftler rätseln, wie die alten Pyramiden gebaut wurden.
The scientists are puzzling over how the ancient pyramids were built.
When you name the topic that is being thought about, you use the preposition 'über' with the accusative. You can also combine it with a subordinate clause and 'darüber'.
Die Ermittler rätseln über die Identität des Opfers.
The investigators are puzzling over the identity of the victim.
'Rätseln' (to puzzle over) is often used when experts or a group of people are looking for an explanation together. Typical subjects are therefore 'die Polizei' (the police), 'die Experten' (the experts), or 'die Wissenschaftler' (the scientists).
Die Experten rätseln noch immer über die Ursache des Phänomens.
The experts are still puzzling over the cause of the phenomenon.
to brood
Grübeln and rätseln both mean thinking intensely about something unclear. When you grübeln, your thoughts often go round anxiously without any apparent solution. When you rätseln, you deliberately try to find an explanation or solution.
Lea rätselt, warum ihr Freund nicht antwortet, und sucht nach einer Erklärung.
Lea is puzzling over why her boyfriend has not replied and is looking for an explanation.
Lea grübelt seit Stunden besorgt darüber, warum ihr Freund nicht antwortet.
Lea has been anxiously brooding for hours about why her boyfriend has not replied.
