kompliziert
The English word 'complicated' can be translated into German using kompliziert. Wiktionary also lists umständlich and schwierig.
Meaning: difficult or convoluted (adj)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| kompliziert | |
| umständlich | /ˈʊmˌʃtɛntlɪç/ |
| schwierig | /ˈʃviːrɪç/ /ˈʃviːrik/ |
The primary way to express that something is difficult or convoluted is to use kompliziert.
Which one should you use?
While kompliziert refers to the intricate or convoluted nature of a subject, schwierig is used for things that are hard to solve or perform. umständlich is used when a process is unnecessarily complicated, cumbersome or roundabout, often involving too many steps.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, kompliziert follows standard German declension rules when it is placed before a noun, such as in eine komplizierte Situation.
Did you know?
- The word schwierig for 'difficult' originally described something 'full of boils' or ulcers. It evolved from a medical description of a painful condition to a general term for something hard to deal with.
- When describing a person as kompliziert, Germans are often implying that the individual is emotionally taxing or difficult to deal with in a social context.
- The term umständlich is often used to describe a physical movement or a way of doing something that is awkward and roundabout, which 'complicated' does not always cover in English.
Examples in context
- Das ist zu kompliziert!That's too complicated!This sentence is useful for expressing that something is too complicated.Tatoeba #8778911 by Yorwba, translation #8910549 by sundown
- Das ist sehr kompliziert.It's very complicated.This sentence is useful for stating that something is very complicated.Tatoeba #2824341 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2249353 by CK
- Die Lage ist kompliziert.The situation is complicated.This sentence is useful for describing a complicated situation.Tatoeba #12358367 by Naina, translation #1532854 by Spamster
- Das Thema ist sehr kompliziertThe topic is very complicated
- Die Aufgabe ist wirklich schwierigThe task is truly complicated
- Die Situation wurde unnötig verkompliziertThe situation was unnecessarily complicated
- Die Matheaufgabe ist ziemlich kniffligThe math problem is quite complicated
- Die Geschichte hat eine vertrackte Wendung genommenThe story has taken a complicated turn
- Das Problem ist sehr kompliziertThe problem is very complicated
- Der technische Bericht ist ziemlich vertracktThe technical report is quite complicated
- Die Verhandlungen waren wirklich schwierigThe negotiations were truly complicated
- 187 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felix and Sarah are discussing a manual for a new coffee machine.
- FelixKannst du mir mit dieser Anleitung helfen?Can you help me with these instructions?
- SarahWarum? Ist die Bedienung so kompliziert?Why? Is the operation that complicated?
- FelixJa, ich verstehe die Schritte nicht.Yes, I don't understand the steps.
- SarahLass mich sehen, ich erkläre es dir.Let me see, I will explain it to you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “complicated” translations and entries kompliziert, umständlich, schwierig, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries schwierig, umständlich, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
