What does it mean word for word?
The word 复杂 is composed of 複 (fù), which means multiple or double and 雜 (zá), which means mixed or miscellaneous.
Which one should you use?
While 复杂 is the standard term for complex or complicated, it is the direct antonym of 简单, which means simple or easy. If you are referring to something specifically that is hard to deal with or manage, you might use the informal term 难办. If you want to emphasize the intricacy of a problem in a formal way, you can use 繁复. Additionally, the term 纷繁 can be used in formal contexts to mean complex or complicated, but it carries a sense of disorder or confusion.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Taiwan, the term 繁雜 is commonly used to mean 'complicated'. In Hong Kong, the form 復雜 is often used to express the same idea.
How do you pronounce it?
fùzá
Did you know?
- In modern slang, when a relationship is 'complicated', Chinese speakers might avoid 复杂 and instead use the phrase 纠结, which literally means 'tangled' or 'knotted'.
- The character 杂 in 复杂 originally referred to the mixing of different types of grains, evolving from a literal 'mixture' to a conceptual 'complication'.
- To describe a person as 'complicated' in terms of their personality, a speaker might use 复杂 but it often implies the person is calculating or has hidden motives.
Examples in context
- 他真地把事搞复杂了。He made things really complicated.This sentence shows how someone can make a situation complicated using 复杂.Tatoeba #13071616 by maina, translation #12926427 by Conjuice
- 他不能处理好复杂情况。He doesn't cope with complicated situations.This sentence illustrates the use of 复杂 when describing situations that are difficult to cope with.Tatoeba #9932533 by SbrAkr, translation #10540267 by sundown
- 我不想把简单的事情搞复杂。I don't want to take a simple thing and make it complicated.This sentence demonstrates the desire to avoid making a simple matter complicated using 复杂.Tatoeba #13885142 by jan_OkulaJu, translation #13980380 by frpzzd
- 这个问题很复杂。This problem is complicated.
- 他的解释非常繁复。His explanation is very complicated.
- 这个领域的研究内容纷繁复杂。The research content in this field is complex and diverse.
- 这个事情有点麻烦。This matter is a bit complicated.
- 解决这个问题真是棘手啊！Solving this problem is really complicated!
- 这个计划很难办。This plan is difficult to execute.
- 她的问题非常繁雜。Her problem is very complicated.
- 這個項目復雜度很高。This project has a high level of complexity.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Haoran and Xiaowen are discussing a technical manual at work.
- 浩然 Haoran这个说明书太复杂了。Zhège shuōmíngshū tài fùzá le.This instruction manual is too complicated.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen确实，内容非常复杂。Quèshí, nèiróng fēicháng fùzá.True, the content is very complicated.
- 浩然 Haoran我们需要重新读一遍。Wǒmen xūyào chóngxīn dú yíbiàn.We need to read it again.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen好，我来帮你一起看。Hǎo, wǒ lái bāng nǐ yìqǐ kàn.Okay, I will help you look through it.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
