Translation guide
Describes something confusing, hard to understand, or mysterious. Japanese uses different words depending on whether something is intellectually baffling, mysterious, or doesn't make sense.
Something is difficult to comprehend or figure out, often intellectually.
Means 'incomprehensible' or 'unfathomable'. Used for things that are deeply confusing and defy understanding.
彼の行動は不可解だ。
His behavior is puzzling.
Literally 'struggle to understand'. A common phrase to express that something is hard to make sense of.
彼の決断は理解に苦しむ。
His decision is puzzling.
Means 'strange' or 'mysterious'. Often used for things that are puzzling in a curious or wondrous way.
それは不思議な現象だ。
That's a puzzling phenomenon.
Means 'riddle' or 'mystery'. Can describe something puzzling that feels like a puzzle to solve.
彼の失踪は謎だ。
His disappearance is puzzling.
Causative form meaning 'to cause bewilderment'. Describes something that actively confuses or perplexes.
その質問は私を困惑させた。
The question was puzzling to me.
Something is puzzling because it seems to have no clear explanation, often with a sense of mystery.
Also used for mysterious, inexplicable events.
不可解な事件が起きた。
A puzzling incident occurred.
Adjective meaning 'mysterious' or 'enigmatic'. Suggests something puzzling with hidden depths.
彼は謎めいた微笑を浮かべた。
He gave a puzzling smile.
Commonly used for mysterious, wondrous things.
Something is puzzling because it contradicts logic or common sense.
Means 'doesn't make sense' or 'illogical'. Used when reasoning is flawed or inconsistent.
彼の説明は筋が通らない。
His explanation is puzzling.
Means 'inconsistent' or 'doesn't add up'. Used when facts or statements contradict each other.
彼の話はつじつまが合わない。
His story is puzzling.
Means 'contradictory'. Describes something that contains logical contradictions.
彼の主張は矛盾している。
His argument is puzzling.
English often uses 'puzzling' as an adjective before nouns (e.g., 'a puzzling situation'). In Japanese, it's more natural to use a relative clause with a verb phrase like 理解に苦しむ or 不可解な. Using パズルのような (like a puzzle) is not common for abstract situations.
A puzzling force is at work.