How to say "transparent" in German

The English and German words “transparent” can refer both to objects through which one can see (because light can pass through) as well as, less physically, something that is obvious, easily understandable, candid or frank.

Additionally, in the German language, the word “durchsichtig” is used more specifically for the former (in the physical sense of “translucent” or “sheer”) and “durchschaubar” for the latter (in the sense of “comprehensible”) purpose:

– “Das Material ist durchsichtig.” – “The material is transparent.”
– “Die Lüge war leicht durchschaubar.” – “The lie was easy to see through.”

Related words in German are “Klarsichtfolie” (f.) (“transparent sheet” or “transparent film”), “Transparentpapier” (n.) (“transparent paper”), “Klarsichtbeutel” (m.) (“transparent bag”), and “Markttransparenz” (f.) (“market transparency”).


Listen up, lurkers!

We filmed an entire beginner German course!


More cool stuff from Expath

The best ways to remember gender in German

How's your German? Take our free online test!

How to get a handle on childcare in Berlin

Join us for small online German classes for English speakers

How to go about finding a flat in Berlin and Germany

All the different ways to say you're exhausted in German

Want to work as a freelancer in Germany but need more info?

Want to live and work in Germany but not sure how to do it?

How to obtain an artist visa for Berlin

How do English speakers find jobs in Germany?

All of Expath's German "words of the day"

How to tell time in German