deutlich or klar?
b1For „easy to understand“ the two are often interchangeable. Beyond that each has its own territory: deutlich intensifies a comparison and then means considerably, while klar means see-through and is the short agreement in conversation. There the other word does not work.
deutlich
Clearly perceptible, unmistakable. Before a comparative it intensifies the gap and means considerably.
Dieses Jahr war deutlich wärmer als das letzte.This year was considerably warmer than the last one.
klar
See-through, unclouded: klares Wasser, klare Luft. Figuratively also beyond doubt and easy to grasp. On its own in conversation it is an agreement.
Das Wasser ist so klar, dass man den Boden sieht.The water is so clear that you can see the bottom.
The mistake
Dieses Jahr war klar wärmer als das letzte.
Dieses Jahr war deutlich wärmer als das letzte.
Only deutlich intensifies a comparison. A „klar“ in front of it reads as obviously and says something quite different.
Rule of thumb
Before a comparative such as besser, mehr or teurer, use deutlich. For see-through things such as water, air or sky, use klar, and likewise as an answer to a question. Only for „easy to make out“ do both work.
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