arusaamatu

Arusaamatu is an Estonian adjective meaning incomprehensible or not easily understood. It describes things, explanations, or situations that resist clear understanding, and it is used for cognitive concepts, ambiguous statements, or opaque behavior. The term is common in both spoken and written Estonian.

Etymology and formation: The word is derived from arusaam, meaning understanding or notion, with the adjectival suffix -atu, which expresses a lack or opacity. This is a productive way to form adjectives in Estonian, and arusaamatu has been part of standard usage for many decades.

Usage and nuance: Arusaamatu emphasizes that grasping the idea or message is difficult due to complexity, vagueness, or obscurity. It can describe formal explanations as well as everyday remarks. It is closely related to but not identical with terms like ebamäärane (vague) or mõistatlik (enigmatic); arusaamatu often focuses on the failure of comprehension rather than mere uncertainty.

Examples: See seletus on arusaamatu. The situation remained arusaamatu to the end. Arusaamatu käitumine tekitab kahtlusi.

See also: Estonian vocabulary related to understanding, such as arusaam and related adjectives, and discussions of clarity in Estonian rhetoric and language usage.