complicado
/kompliˈkado/
The English word 'complicated' is translated into Spanish as complicado.
complicado is an adjective used to describe something that is difficult or convoluted.
Meaning: difficult or convoluted (adj)
Which one should you use?
While complicado implies that something is convoluted or complex, the word difícil is used more generally for anything that is hard to do or achieve.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. Use complicada for feminine nouns, complicados for masculine plural nouns and complicadas for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/kompliˈkado/
Did you know?
- The word complicado shares a root with the English word 'plait', coming from the Latin 'plicare' meaning to fold.
- In Spanish, calling a person complicado often refers to their personality rather than a task, suggesting they are difficult to deal with or temperamentally fussy.
- Spanish has a specific verb complicarse, which can be used reflexively as complicarse la vida, meaning to overthink things or make one's own life harder than necessary.
Examples in context
- No es tan complicado.It's not that complicated.This sentence is useful for saying something is not that complicated using complicado.Tatoeba #1896122 by Shishir, translation #1894570 by CK
- El amor es complicado.Love is complicated.This sentence is useful for saying love is complicated using complicado.Tatoeba #2914703 by hayastan, translation #2740307 by Hybrid
- No se ve tan complicado.It doesn't look too complicated.This sentence is useful for saying something doesn't look too complicated using complicado.Tatoeba #7682841 by arh, translation #9668321 by DJ_Saidez
- Este problema es difícil de resolverThis problem is difficult to solve
- La situación es complejaThe situation is complex
- El proceso de solicitud es enredadoThe application process is complicated
- ¡Es complicado entender este manual!It's complicated to understand this manual!
- 42 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are discussing a new project at work.
- Daniel¿Es complicado el nuevo proyecto?Is the new project complicated?
- SofíaSí, Daniel, es bastante complicado.Yes, Daniel, it is quite complicated.
- DanielNecesito ayuda con este plan complicado.I need help with this complicated plan.
- SofíaYo te ayudo con todo, Daniel.I will help you with everything, Daniel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “complicated” translations and entries complicado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
