Obegriplig

Obegriplig is a Swedish adjective used to describe something that is difficult or impossible to comprehend. It can refer to a text, explanation, phenomenon, or situation that defies clear interpretation or makes understanding difficult. The term commonly implies a sense of obscurity or puzzling complexity rather than mere sloppiness.

Etymology and form: Obegriplig is formed from the negating prefix o- attached to begriplig, meaning comprehensible. The root begripa means to grasp or understand, and the suffix -lig indicates a quality or tendency. The word is fully integrated in modern Swedish and is paired with the adverbial form obegripligt.

Usage and nuance: Obegriplig is a neutral to moderately formal descriptor suitable for both written and spoken Swedish. It is used in journalism, academic writing, criticism, and everyday speech to signal that an explanation, data, or behavior lacks clarity or is not easily interpreted. It can describe language that is hard to parse, a theory that resists explanation, or a situation that lacks sufficient context.

Examples: Texten var obegriplig utan relevant kontext. Fenomenet förblir obegripligt för många forskare. Adverb form: obegripligt, as in "Det var obegripligt hur konsekvenserna uppstod."

See also: Begriplig, Begripa, Begriplighet, uttryck svårförståelighet. Obegräglighet is not standard; prefer framförbegriplighet när behövs to express a related, more abstract concept of understandability.