How to Say "Enigma" in French

énigme

/e.niɡm/feminine

The English word 'enigma' is translated into French as énigme.

The word énigme is a noun used to describe something that is puzzling, mysterious or inexplicable.

Meaning: something puzzling, mysterious or inexplicable (noun)

How does it change in a sentence?

The noun énigme is feminine. Because of this, it is preceded by the feminine article une (as in une énigme) or by feminine forms of adjectives.

/e.niɡm/

A person who is a mystery can be described as une énigme, but if a situation is baffling, the French might use the word casse-tête, which literally means 'head-breaker'.
While énigme refers to the mystery itself, the French use the verb deviner to describe the act of solving one, which literally means 'to divine' or 'predict'.
The word énigme can be used in a playful, almost childish way to refer to a riddle, whereas in English 'enigma' often carries a weightier, more profound tone.

Je n'ai pas de solution à cette énigme.
I don't have a solution to this enigma.
This sentence shows how to express having no solution to an énigme.
Tatoeba #12281126 by felix63, translation #12281529 by Miktsoanit
Parfois, je suis une énigme pour moi-même.
Sometimes I am an enigma to myself.
This sentence uses énigme to describe a person being a mystery to themselves.
Tatoeba #8643480 by Aiji, translation #2945736 by AlanF_US
Ce qu'elle a dit était, pour moi, une énigme.
What she said was an enigma to me.
This sentence uses énigme to describe something someone said as being inexplicable.
Tatoeba #8571107 by Aiji, translation #4430262 by AlanF_US
Le professeur a posé une énigme difficile aux étudiants.
The professor posed a difficult enigma to the students.
La pièce de théâtre est pleine d'énigmes captivantes.
The play is full of captivating enigmas.
Le roman policier est connu pour ses nombreuses énigmes à résoudre.
The detective novel is renowned for its numerous enigmas to solve.
J'ai du mal à résoudre ce mystère.
I'm struggling to solve this mystery.
4 more sentences on Tatoeba

Lucas and Léa are discussing a mysterious disappearance in a novel.

Lucas

Le comportement de ce personnage est une véritable énigme.
This character's behavior is a true enigma.
Léa

Je suis d'accord, il reste totalement imprévisible.
I agree, he remains totally unpredictable.
Lucas

Est-ce que tu penses que l'auteur a une explication ?
Do you think the author has an explanation?
Léa

Peut-être, mais pour l'instant, tout est mystérieux.
Maybe, but for now, everything is mysterious.

Sources

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