undurchsichtig

Undurchsichtig is a German adjective meaning not transparent. It is used for both physical opacity and metaphorical lack of clarity. In the physical sense, it describes materials that do not let light pass through, such as opaque glass or a cloudy coating. In a figurative sense, it denotes information, procedures, or motives that are difficult to understand, hidden, or not easily explained.

Etymology and form: The word is formed with the prefix un- attached to durchsichtig, which means transparent. Durchsichtig itself derives from durch- (through) and sichtbar (visible). The negative form undurchsichtig thus denotes the opposite of transparency and does not require any additional negation to be understood.

Usage: Undurchsichtig can be used attributively and predicatively. Examples include: Das Glas ist undurchsichtig. Die Motive des Unternehmens bleiben undurchsichtig. Ein undurchsichtiges Verfahren beschreibt einen Mangel an Klarheit oder Nachvollziehbarkeit. In journalistischem oder politischem Tonfall often carries a negative connotation, signaling suspicion or a lack of openness.

See also: Transparenz, Transparenzgebot, Durchsichtigkeit. Undurchsichtigkeit is the corresponding noun form for the state or quality of being undurchsichtig.