01
ungeklärt
unresolved
Not yet solved, answered, or clarified; open or unclear.
example
Die Ursache des Unfalls ist bisher ungeklärt.
The cause of the accident is still unresolved.
ungeklärt
unresolved / untreated
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word formation
The word is made up of two parts: the prefix 'un-' (not) and 'geklärt', the past participle (Partizip II) of 'klären' (to clarify). 'Ungeklärt' (unresolved / untreated) therefore literally means 'not clarified' or 'not solved'.
EXAMPLE
Viele Fragen zu dem historischen Ereignis sind bis heute ungeklärt.
Many questions about the historical event remain unresolved to this day.
Context clue
The context reveals the meaning: If people are talking about abstract things like a question, a case, or a cause, 'ungeklärt' (unresolved) means unsolved. If people are talking about liquids such as wastewater, it means 'not cleaned'.
EXAMPLE
Der Verbleib des Geldes ist weiterhin ungeklärt.
The whereabouts of the money remain unresolved.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'ungelöst' (unresolved), the word is often combined with nouns such as 'Frage' (question), 'Fall' (case), 'Mord' (murder), or 'Ursache' (cause). It describes a situation for which there is still no answer or solution.
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei ermittelt in einem bisher ungeklärten Fall.
The police are investigating a case that has so far remained unresolved.
Technical context
The meaning 'nicht gereinigt' (not cleaned) is mainly used in technical or environmental contexts. The most common word in this context is 'ungeklärtes Abwasser' (untreated wastewater).
EXAMPLE
Die Fabrik wurde kritisiert, weil sie ungeklärte Industrieabwässer einleitete.
The factory was criticized because it discharged untreated industrial wastewater.
Compare with
ungeklärt vs offen
open
'offen' and 'ungeklärt' can both describe something that has not yet been decided or solved. 'offen' is more general and fits well with questions, items on a list, or decisions that are still pending. 'ungeklärt' puts more emphasis on the fact that the answer, cause, or solution is not yet known. That is why people often say 'eine offene Frage' (an open question), but 'die Ursache ist ungeklärt' (the cause is unresolved). Learners may confuse the words because both point to something unfinished. However, 'ungeklärt' sounds more like a problem that needs to be investigated or explained.
ungeklärt
Nach dem Unfall ist die genaue Ursache noch ungeklärt.
After the accident, the exact cause is still unresolved.
offen
Vor dem Urlaub ist noch offen, wer die Katze füttert.
Before the vacation, it is still open who will feed the cat.
In real life
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