indescribable
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indescribable
So extreme, intense, or extraordinary that it can hardly or not at all be described in words. It can be used for both positive and negative feelings or impressions.
Die Freude über den Sieg war einfach unbeschreiblich.
The joy over the victory was simply indescribable.
The word is clearly structured: the prefix 'un-' negates the verb 'beschreiben' (to describe). The ending '-lich' makes it an adjective. So it literally means 'not describable.'
Der Ausblick vom Berggipfel war unbeschreiblich.
The view from the mountain peak was indescribable.
'Unbeschreiblich' is very often used as an adverb to intensify another adjective extremely. It then stands directly before the adjective it describes.
Der Sonnenuntergang am Meer war unbeschreiblich schön.
The sunset by the sea was indescribably beautiful.
The word is used for very strong, extreme feelings. Typical combinations are 'unbeschreibliche Freude' (indescribable joy), 'unbeschreibliches Glück' (indescribable happiness), but also 'unbeschreiblicher Schmerz' (indescribable pain) or 'unbeschreibliches Leid' (indescribable suffering).
Sie empfand eine unbeschreibliche Erleichterung, als sie die Prüfung bestanden hatte.
She felt indescribable relief when she had passed the exam.
incredible
Both words can describe an exceptionally intense experience. Unfassbar mainly shows that one can hardly believe or comprehend what happened; unbeschreiblich, by contrast, emphasizes that the intensity is too great for words. Use unfassbar when belief is lacking and unbeschreiblich when words fail.
Die Angst der Familie nach dem plötzlichen Unfall war unbeschreiblich, weil ihr die Worte dafür fehlten.
The family’s fear after the sudden accident was indescribable because they had no words for it.
Der plötzliche Unfall war für die Familie unfassbar, weil sie das Geschehen kaum begreifen konnte.
The sudden accident was incomprehensible to the family because they could hardly grasp what had happened.
