Translation guide
How to express that speech, writing, or meaning cannot be understood at all.
The speaker's words are impossible to make out or comprehend.
Natural, everyday way to say 'I don't understand what you're saying.'
彼が何を言っているのかわからなかった。
I couldn't understand what he was saying.
The written words are illegible or the meaning is impossible to grasp.
Standard way to say 'I don't understand what is written.'
このメモは何が書いてあるのかわからない。
This note is unintelligible.
The idea, logic, or meaning behind something is impossible to understand.
General 'cannot understand/comprehend,' suitable for abstract concepts.
その理論は私には理解できない。
That theory is unintelligible to me.
There is no single Japanese adjective that directly corresponds to 'unintelligible' in all contexts. Instead, use phrases that describe the inability to understand, hear, or read.
Specifically means 'cannot catch/hear the words,' often due to noise or unclear speech.
雑音で彼の声が聞き取れなかった。
I couldn't make out his voice because of the noise.
Means 'meaning unclear,' often used for speech or text that makes no sense.
彼の説明は意味不明だった。
His explanation was unintelligible.
Expresses that the reasoning or situation is incomprehensible; often used for confusing speech.
彼の話はわけがわからなかった。
What he said was unintelligible.
Means 'cannot decipher' handwriting or unclear text.
彼の字は判読できない。
His handwriting is unintelligible.
Simple 'cannot read,' but can imply illegibility or incomprehensibility.
この文字は小さすぎて読めない。
These letters are too small to read; they're unintelligible.
Means 'incomprehensible, mysterious,' often used for puzzling situations or statements.
彼の行動は不可解だ。
His behavior is unintelligible.
Colloquial onomatopoeia for something completely unintelligible, like gibberish.
専門用語ばかりでちんぷんかんぷんだ。
It's all technical jargon; it's unintelligible to me.