undeutlich
unclear
Difficult to understand acoustically because someone is speaking quietly, unclearly, or mumbling.
EXAMPLE
Er murmelte eine undeutliche Entschuldigung und ging schnell weiter.
He mumbled an unclear apology and quickly walked on.
undeutlich
unclear
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
undeutlich
indistinct
Not visually clear to recognize; blurred, out of focus, or faded.
EXAMPLE
Durch den Nebel war die Küste nur als undeutliche Linie am Horizont zu sehen.
Through the fog, the coast could only be seen as an indistinct line on the horizon.
undeutlich
vague
Not precise or clear in meaning; vague or imprecise.
EXAMPLE
Seine Antwort war so undeutlich, dass wir immer noch nicht wussten, was er vorhat.
His answer was so vague that we still didn't know what he was planning.
Usage tips
Word structure
The word consists of the prefix 'un-' and the adjective 'deutlich' (clear). The prefix 'un-' negates the meaning of the base word. So 'undeutlich' means 'not clear' or 'not distinct'.
EXAMPLE
Seine Handschrift ist so undeutlich, dass ich sie kaum lesen kann.
His handwriting is so unclear that I can hardly read it.
Context clue
The context tells you what kind of lack of clarity is meant. In connection with 'sprechen' (to speak) or 'Stimme' (voice), it is acoustic. With 'Schrift' (writing) or 'Foto' (photo), it is visual. With 'Antwort' (answer) or 'Idee' (idea), it is vague in content.
EXAMPLE
Er sprach so undeutlich, dass ich ihn bat, es zu wiederholen.
He spoke so unclearly that I asked him to repeat it.
Typical collocations
When it is about acoustic lack of clarity, 'undeutlich' (unclear) is often combined with verbs of speaking, for example 'undeutlich sprechen' (to speak unclearly), 'undeutlich murmeln' (to mumble unclearly), or 'undeutlich nuscheln' (to mumble/slur unclearly).
EXAMPLE
Der Patient murmelte etwas Undeutliches, bevor er einschlief.
The patient mumbled something unclear before falling asleep.
Visual lack of clarity
In a visual context, 'undeutlich' often describes things that you cannot recognize well. Typical nouns are 'Schrift' (writing), 'Zeichnung' (drawing), 'Kontur' (outline), or 'Bild' (image/picture).
EXAMPLE
Am Horizont waren die undeutlichen Umrisse von Bergen zu erkennen.
The indistinct outlines of mountains could be seen on the horizon.
Compare with
undeutlich vs unklar
unclear
Both words can describe a statement that is difficult to understand. „Undeutlich“ is especially appropriate when the voice or wording itself is weak and difficult to perceive. „Unklar“ is more appropriate when the content does not provide a clear answer or explanation.
undeutlich
Die Ansage war undeutlich, weil man die leise Stimme im Lärm kaum verstand.
The announcement was indistinct because the quiet voice was barely audible over the noise.
unklar
Die Ansage blieb unklar, weil sie keine genaue Uhrzeit nannte.
The announcement remained unclear because it did not give a specific time.
In real life
Loading video examples...