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.
His behavior is puzzling.
Literally 'struggle to understand'. A common phrase to express that something is hard to make sense of.
His decision is puzzling.
Means 'strange' or 'mysterious'. Often used for things that are puzzling in a curious or wondrous way.
That's a puzzling phenomenon.
Means 'riddle' or 'mystery'. Can describe something puzzling that feels like a puzzle to solve.
His disappearance is puzzling.
Causative form meaning 'to cause bewilderment'. Describes something that actively confuses or perplexes.
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.
A puzzling incident occurred.
Adjective meaning 'mysterious' or 'enigmatic'. Suggests something puzzling with hidden depths.
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.
His explanation is puzzling.
Means 'inconsistent' or 'doesn't add up'. Used when facts or statements contradict each other.
His story is puzzling.
Means 'contradictory'. Describes something that contains logical contradictions.
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.
不思議な力が働いている。
A puzzling force is at work.
His argument is puzzling.