enigma

/ɪˈnɪɡmə/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪˈnɪɡmə/ (ame, ipa) · /i-ˈnig-mə e-/ (ame, mw)

enigma — noun

  • enigmasingular
  • enigmasplural

1. Something that is puzzling, mysterious, and very difficult to make sense of — fo

1.名詞B2
釋義

Something that is puzzling, mysterious, and very difficult to make sense of — for example, a strange event, an unsolved question, or a complicated situation that seems to have no clear answer.

例句

Why Aoi's grandfather locked his study before leaving was an enigma to his family.

why-clause as subject: 'Why [person]... was an enigma'

The disappearance of the old temple bell remains an enigma no one has explained.

collocation: remain(s) an enigma

同義詞
  • mystery

    More general and common; any unexplained thing, from a crime to a strange event

  • puzzle

    Suggests something designed to test cleverness or a problem with a solvable answer

  • riddle

    Implies a question or statement with a hidden meaning, often playful or verbal

  • conundrum

    A tricky problem with a paradoxical or clever element; similar register to enigma

反義詞

文法句型

enigma + of + noun phrase

why/how-clause + be + an enigma

用法筆記

Common in formal, literary, or journalistic contexts. In everyday conversation, 'mystery' is more frequent. Often appears in the structure 'the enigma of + [noun phrase]' (e.g. 'the enigma of human consciousness').

常見錯誤

❌The math problem was an enigma to me.
✅The math problem was a mystery to me.
💡'enigma' suggests a deeper, almost philosophical quality of being unfathomable; 'mystery' is more natural for everyday puzzles and problems.
❌He solved the enigma in five minutes.
✅He solved the riddle / puzzle in five minutes.
💡'enigma' implies something that resists quick solution; using it with a short time frame feels unnatural.

2. A person who is difficult to understand or figure out because their thoughts, fe

2.名詞C1
釋義

A person who is difficult to understand or figure out because their thoughts, feelings, or behaviour are hidden, changeable, or unpredictable.

例句

Even after years of working together, Élise remained an enigma to her colleagues.

remain an enigma to [someone]

The writer was something of an enigma — he rarely gave interviews or appeared in public.

something of an enigma (fixed phrase)

同義詞
  • puzzle

    Less formal; can describe someone whose behaviour is baffling but less profound

  • closed book

    Idiomatic and informal; suggests someone who refuses to share personal information

  • mystery

    More common but less specific; can apply to anyone unknown or secretive

反義詞
  • open book

    Someone whose thoughts and feelings are easy to read

文法句型

be an enigma

remain an enigma to [someone]

something of an enigma

用法筆記

When applied to a person, 'enigma' suggests that even people who interact with them regularly find them hard to read. The fixed expression 'something of an enigma' is common in both formal and neutral registers. Unlike 'mystery person', 'enigma' carries a slightly intellectual or admirable tone.

常見錯誤

❌He is a secret enigma.
✅He is an enigma.
💡'secret' is redundant because being enigmatic already implies hidden qualities.
❌She is an enigma person.
✅She is an enigma.
💡'enigma' already functions as a noun meaning a person of this type; adding 'person' is ungrammatical.