Translation guide
Describes something that is impossible to understand or interpret, often a person's expression, motives, or a mysterious phenomenon.
Expressing that something is completely beyond comprehension, often with a sense of mystery.
The most direct and common translation for 'inscrutable', meaning incomprehensible or enigmatic. Used for actions, motives, phenomena.
Describing a facial expression that is impossible to read, often deliberately blank or ambiguous.
Means 'expressionless', the most common way to describe a face that shows no emotion. Can imply inscrutability.
彼は無表情な顔で座っていた。
He sat with an inscrutable face.
不可解 (fukakai) is a straightforward statement of incomprehensibility, often used for logical or factual matters. 謎めいた (nazomeita) adds a literary, mysterious flavor, suitable for describing atmospheres or enigmatic people.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all nuances of 'inscrutable'. Choose based on context: for motives use 不可解, for faces use 無表情 or 何を考えているかわからない.
His motives are inscrutable.
不可解な現象が起こった。
An inscrutable phenomenon occurred.
Literally 'riddle-like', conveys a mysterious, enigmatic quality. Often used for people, expressions, or atmospheres.
彼女は謎めいた微笑を浮かべた。
She gave an inscrutable smile.
Means 'of unknown character/nature', implying something eerie or unfathomable. Stronger nuance of strangeness.
得体の知れない不安に襲われた。
I was seized by an inscrutable anxiety.
Literally 'immeasurable', used for depths of emotion, intelligence, or complexity that cannot be fathomed.
彼の才能は計り知れない。
His talent is inscrutable (immeasurable).
A natural phrase meaning 'can't tell what someone is thinking'. Used for inscrutable people.
彼は何を考えているかわからない人だ。
He is an inscrutable person.
Loanword for 'poker face', specifically an expression that hides one's thoughts or feelings.
彼はポーカーフェイスで交渉に臨んだ。
He approached the negotiation with an inscrutable poker face.