The German word for riddle or puzzle is das Rätsel.
It’s used for word games, brainteasers, or unsolved problems. The word also appears metaphorically when something is confusing, mysterious, or difficult to explain.

It’s one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German (free illustrated PDF available!) and it’s great for learners who love wordplay or solving problems.

Gender and Pronunciation

It’s a neuter noun: das Rätsel.
Struggling with gender? Our video lesson gives you a pattern-based method that works.

Pronunciation:
Rätsel is pronounced [RAYT-sel]

• “RÄT” rhymes with cat, but with a German ä

• “sel” rhymes with bell
  Two syllables: RÄT-sel

Example sentences

Ich liebe Rätsel – besonders Logikrätsel.
I love puzzles—especially logic puzzles.

Das bleibt ein Rätsel.
That remains a mystery.

Kannst du das Rätsel lösen?
Can you solve the riddle?

Nuance and usage tips

🧠 Rätsel refers to any kind of riddle or brain teaser—something with a hidden or tricky answer. It can be playful or profound.

🕵️ It also works in more serious contexts, like mysteries or unsolved phenomena: ein medizinisches Rätsel, das Rätsel des Universums.

📚 You’ll find it in books, escape rooms, mystery shows, and educational games. And yes—Germans love a good Kreuzworträtsel (crossword puzzle).

How does this word come up in real conversations?

"Mein Opa löst jeden Morgen ein Rätsel in der Zeitung."
My grandpa solves a puzzle every morning in the newspaper.

"Warum er das getan hat, ist für mich ein Rätsel."
Why he did that is a mystery to me.

"Das neue Escape-Room-Rätsel war richtig schwer!"
The new escape room puzzle was really hard!

Sample Dialogue (Beginner Level)

Juli: Willst du ein Rätsel hören?
Noah: Klar, leg los!
Juli: Was ist klein, rund und hat keinen Mund, aber spricht manchmal?
Noah: Hmm… keine Ahnung.
Juli: Eine Glocke!

Translation:
Juli: Want to hear a riddle?
Noah: Sure, go ahead!
Juli: What’s small, round, and has no mouth—but sometimes speaks?
Noah: Hmm… no idea.
Juli: A bell!

Grammatical case examples

Nominative:
Das Rätsel ist noch ungelöst.
The puzzle is still unsolved.

Accusative:
Ich habe das Rätsel endlich gelöst.
I finally solved the riddle.

Dative:
Mit dem Rätsel kam ich nicht weiter.
I couldn’t make any progress with the puzzle.

Genitive:
Die Lösung des Rätsels war überraschend einfach.
The solution to the riddle was surprisingly simple.

Other ways to say riddle or puzzle in German

While Rätsel is the standard word, you may also hear Denksportaufgabe (brain teaser) in formal or educational contexts. Puzzle (borrowed from English) is common when referring specifically to jigsaw puzzles. Geheimnis means mystery and overlaps with Rätsel in more abstract situations.

Still, Rätsel is by far the most common and versatile word—suitable for fun, mystery, or philosophy.

Word variations and tidbits

You’ll find Rätsel in combinations like Kreuzworträtsel (crossword puzzle), Bilderrätsel (picture riddle), Rätselheft (puzzle booklet), and Rätselspiel (puzzle game). It also appears in idioms like etwas ist mir ein Rätsel (“it’s a mystery to me”).

🧠 Fun fact: The verb rätseln means “to puzzle over” or “to try to figure out,” making it easy to build related phrases: Ich rätsle seit Tagen darüber = “I’ve been trying to figure it out for days.”

📘 Duden entry for Rätsel:
https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Raetsel
🎥 Want to stop guessing and start knowing? Our video course helps you crack the code of German with 1000 essential nouns—clearly explained and puzzle-free.

Ready for more German Words of the Day?
Do you know what Rechnung means? It’s one riddle that always has a total.
And what about Reporter? Sometimes, their job is to solve Rätsel of their own.