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”).