undurchdringlich
impenetrable
So dense or solid that one cannot pass through it or nothing is allowed to pass through it.
EXAMPLE
Die undurchdringliche Dornenhecke versperrte uns den Weg.
The impenetrable thorn hedge blocked our way.
undurchdringlich
impenetrable / inscrutable
undurchdringlich – undurchdringlicher – am undurchdringlichsten
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Meanings
undurchdringlich
impenetrable
So dense or dark that one cannot see through it or make anything out within it.
EXAMPLE
Undurchdringlicher Nebel nahm uns jede Sicht auf die Straße.
Impenetrable fog blocked our entire view of the road.
undurchdringlich
inscrutable
So difficult to understand or interpret that one cannot recognize the meaning, connections, or a person's thoughts and feelings.
EXAMPLE
Sein Gesicht blieb undurchdringlich, sodass niemand wusste, was er von dem Vorschlag hielt.
His face remained inscrutable, so no one knew what he thought of the proposal.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry undurchdringlich, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | undurchdringlich |
|---|---|
| comparative | undurchdringlicher |
| superlative | am undurchdringlichsten |
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to undurchdringlich.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to undurchdringlich.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to undurchdringlich.
Usage tips
Word formation
The prefix 'un-' negates 'durchdringlich' (penetrable). The visible element 'dring' belongs to the word family of 'durchdringen' (to penetrate): Here, passing through can refer to people, light, or understanding.
EXAMPLE
Die dichte Hecke war für uns undurchdringlich.
The dense hedge was impenetrable for us.
Typical collocations
Typical collocations include 'undurchdringliches Dickicht' (impenetrable thicket), 'undurchdringliche Hecke' (impenetrable hedge), and 'undurchdringliche Barriere' (impenetrable barrier). With 'für' and the accusative, you can indicate who or what cannot pass through.
EXAMPLE
Das dichte Gestrüpp bildete eine für Wanderer undurchdringliche Barriere.
The dense undergrowth formed an impenetrable barrier for hikers.
Typical collocations
When visibility is lacking, 'undurchdringlich' (impenetrable) frequently occurs with 'Nebel' (fog), 'Dunkelheit' (darkness), or 'Finsternis' (pitch darkness). The word strongly emphasizes that nothing can be seen; especially with darkness, this phrasing often has a narrative quality.
EXAMPLE
Hinter dem letzten Haus lag der Weg in undurchdringlicher Dunkelheit.
Beyond the last house, the path lay in impenetrable darkness.
Describing facial expressions
When referring to people, 'undurchdringliche Miene' (inscrutable expression) and 'undurchdringlicher Blick' (inscrutable gaze) are typical collocations. The pattern 'sein Gesicht blieb undurchdringlich' (his face remained inscrutable) is also especially common: 'bleiben' emphasizes that no feelings become visible even after a question or piece of news.
EXAMPLE
Auch nach der überraschenden Nachricht blieb ihr Gesicht undurchdringlich.
Even after the surprising news, her face remained inscrutable.
In real life
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