confusing / unclear
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confusing
Designed or structured in such a way that it is difficult to get an overview; chaotic or complex.
Die neue Software ist sehr unübersichtlich, ich finde keine der alten Funktionen wieder.
The new software is very confusing; I can't find any of the old functions.
The word is logically structured: the prefix 'un-' means 'not', and 'übersichtlich' comes from 'über' (over) and 'Sicht' (view/sight). Something 'unübersichtlich' (confusing/unclear) is therefore literally something over which one does not have a good view or overview.
Die Gliederung des Dokuments ist sehr unübersichtlich.
The structure of the document is very confusing.
This meaning is often used for abstract or complex things. Typical combinations are 'eine unübersichtliche Situation' (a confusing situation), 'ein unübersichtlicher Text' (a confusing text), 'eine unübersichtliche Struktur' (a confusing structure), or 'ein unübersichtliches Menü' (a confusing menu) in an app.
Wegen der unübersichtlichen Lage wusste niemand, was zu tun war.
Because of the confusing situation, no one knew what to do.
In the context of road traffic, 'unübersichtlich' describes places where you cannot see the traffic situation well. Common examples are 'eine unübersichtliche Kreuzung' (a hard-to-see intersection), 'eine unübersichtliche Kurve' (a blind curve), or 'eine unübersichtliche Stelle' (a hard-to-see spot).
Fahren Sie an dieser unübersichtlichen Ausfahrt bitte besonders langsam.
Please drive especially slowly at this hard-to-see exit.
complicated
'kompliziert' and 'unübersichtlich' can both mean that something is hard to understand or hard to assess. 'kompliziert' emphasizes difficult connections or rules. 'unübersichtlich' emphasizes that you cannot get a good overview, for example because too much information, too many objects, or too many routes seem jumbled together. In traffic, 'unübersichtlich' can also mean that a situation is hard to assess because visibility is poor. If something is difficult in terms of content, 'kompliziert' is usually a better fit. If you cannot orient yourself or you lose track of things, 'unübersichtlich' is usually a better fit.
Nach dem Umbau ist der Bahnhof für viele Reisende unübersichtlich.
After the renovation, the station is confusing for many travelers.
Frau Schmidt findet den Fahrplan kompliziert, weil es viele Ausnahmen gibt.
Ms. Schmidt finds the timetable complicated because there are many exceptions.