inscrutable / unfathomable
unergründlich – unergründlicher – am unergründlichsten
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inscrutable
So difficult to understand or explain that the underlying reasons and connections remain hidden. The word often describes thoughts, feelings, motives, or a person's nature.
Seine unergründliche Reaktion ließ alle ratlos zurück.
His inscrutable reaction left everyone puzzled.
unfathomable
So deep, vast, or extensive that it cannot be measured or fully fathomed.
Vor ihnen lag ein unergründlicher See, dessen Grund niemand kannte.
Before them lay an unfathomable lake whose bottom no one knew.
| basic form | unergründlich |
|---|---|
| comparative | unergründlicher |
| superlative | am unergründlichsten |
| 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 unergründlich.
| 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 unergründlich.
| 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 unergründlich.
'Unergründlich' (inscrutable / unfathomable) is related to the verb 'ergründen' (to fathom / to get to the bottom of). The prefix 'un-' indicates that the underlying reasons or the bottom of something cannot be fully grasped or reached.
Die unergründlichen Motive des Täters beschäftigten die Ermittler lange.
The perpetrator's inscrutable motives occupied the investigators for a long time.
'Unergründlich' (inscrutable / unfathomable) has an elevated tone and is used especially in literary, philosophical, or solemn texts.
Der Roman beschreibt die unergründliche Einsamkeit des alten Mannes.
The novel describes the old man's unfathomable loneliness.
When 'unergründlich' (inscrutable) refers to thoughts, feelings, reactions, or motives, it concerns an inner world that is difficult to understand. With a lake, a depth, or an abyss, 'unergründlich' (unfathomable) describes something whose bottom cannot be fathomed.
Ihre unergründlichen Gefühle konnte niemand deuten.
No one could interpret her inscrutable feelings.
Der Taucher wagte sich nicht in die unergründliche Tiefe.
The diver did not dare venture into the unfathomable depths.
In this sense, 'unergründlich' (inscrutable) often accompanies words relating to inner life and human actions, such as motives, feelings, thoughts, looks, or reactions.
Sein unergründlicher Blick machte die anderen nervös.
His inscrutable gaze made the others nervous.
When describing physical spaces, 'unergründlich' (unfathomable) is especially associated with bodies of water, depths, and abysses. These combinations emphasize that precise measurement or reaching the bottom is impossible.
Unter dem Boot öffnete sich ein unergründlicher Abgrund.
An unfathomable abyss opened up beneath the boat.
