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.
hard to see
In a way that obstructs visibility and makes a situation difficult to assess, especially in road traffic.
An dieser unübersichtlichen Kreuzung passieren leider oft Unfälle.
Unfortunately, accidents often happen at this hard-to-see intersection.
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 describes a guide or website as difficult to understand or use in terms of its content. Unübersichtlich, by contrast, emphasizes that its design or layout does not provide a clear overview. Both can occur together; the choice of word depends on whether the main problem is the content or the presentation.
Die Website ist unübersichtlich, weil die Buchungsfelder ohne klare Ordnung auf mehrere Seiten verteilt sind.
The website is confusing because the booking fields are spread across several pages without a clear structure.
Die Website ist kompliziert, weil die Regeln für die Buchung schwer zu verstehen sind.
The website is complicated because the booking rules are difficult to understand.
