Meaning
complicated; complex; intricate; mixed (feelings)
Nuance & Usage
複雑 describes something with many interwoven parts, whether a system, a situation, or feelings. 複雑な気持ち (fukuzatsu na kimochi — complicated feelings) is very commonly used when someone feels mixed emotions — for example, feeling happy but also sad at the same time. 複雑な問題 refers to a complex problem. The phrase 複雑になってきた means "things are getting complicated." It can be used in both concrete (複雑な構造 — intricate structure) and abstract (複雑な人間関係 — complicated human relationships) contexts.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 複雑 with 難しい (muzukashii — difficult). Something can be 複雑 (complex) but not necessarily 難しい (hard to do), and vice versa. 複雑な気持ち is a very natural expression for mixed emotions — don't translate it too literally as "complicated feelings" in English; it's closer to "mixed feelings." Also note: 複雑 is a な-adjective, so always use 複雑な + noun or 複雑だ, never 複雑い.
Example Sentences
故郷を離れると決めたとき、複雑な気持ちになった。
こきょうをはなれるときめたとき、ふくざつなきもちになった。
When I decided to leave my hometown, I had mixed feelings.
この問題は複雑で、簡単には解決できない。
このもんだいはふくざつで、かんたんにはかいけつできない。
This problem is complex and cannot be solved easily.
彼との関係は複雑で、一言では説明できません。
かれとのかんけいはふくざつで、ひとことではせつめいできません。
My relationship with him is complicated — I can't explain it in a few words.
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