Updated on March 6, 2024
The word 'complicated' is a common English term that we use to describe situations, problems, or ideas that are difficult to understand or explain. It's a word that transcends cultures and languages, highlighting the universal nature of complexity. But have you ever wondered how to say 'complicated' in other languages?
Understanding the translation of 'complicated' in different languages can provide valuable insights into other cultures and ways of thinking. For instance, in Spanish, 'complicated' translates to 'complicado,' which shares the same Latin root as its English counterpart. Meanwhile, in Japanese, the word 'komplikatto' reflects the influence of Western culture on the language.
Moreover, the word 'complicated' has a rich historical context. It was first used in the English language in the late 15th century, reflecting the growing complexity of society during the Renaissance period. Today, it remains a relevant and essential word in our daily lives, as we continue to navigate intricate problems and situations.
Join us as we explore the translations of 'complicated' in different languages, shedding light on the fascinating world of linguistic and cultural diversity.
Afrikaans | ingewikkeld | ||
The word “ingewikkeld” comes from the German “verwickelt,” sharing a similar meaning of being tangled or complicated | |||
Amharic | የተወሳሰበ | ||
"ተወሳሰበ" also means "distracted" in Amharic. | |||
Hausa | rikitarwa | ||
The Hausa word "rikitarwa" derives from the Arabic "raqqa" (to embroider) or, alternatively, "rikka" (a type of intricate stringed instrument). | |||
Igbo | gbagwojuru anya | ||
The Igbo word "gbagwojuru anya" derives from "gba" (to grab), "gwo" (to carry), "juru" (to whirl), and "anya" (eye), suggesting a sense of visual chaos. | |||
Malagasy | sarotra | ||
The word "sarotra" in Malagasy can also mean "difficult", "complex", or "hard to do". | |||
Nyanja (Chichewa) | zovuta | ||
Shona | zvakaoma | ||
The word "zvakaoma" is derived from the verb "kwoma", meaning "to be twisted or tangled up". | |||
Somali | dhib badan | ||
The phrase dhib badan was borrowed from Arabic, which literally translates to "many/great issues/problems". | |||
Sesotho | rarahane | ||
The word "rarahane" in Sesotho also refers to something that is confusing or difficult to understand, such as a complicated puzzle or a complex problem. | |||
Swahili | ngumu | ||
"Ngumu" comes from the Proto-Bantu root *-ngumi-, meaning "difficult". In other languages, such as Tswana, the word "ngumi" refers to a "fist". | |||
Xhosa | inzima | ||
The Xhosa word “inzima” can be used to describe a situation as “difficult” or “problematic,” but it can also refer to “intricate” or “elaborate” situations. | |||
Yoruba | idiju | ||
"Idiju" also means "unclear" or "puzzling" in Yoruba. | |||
Zulu | eziyinkimbinkimbi | ||
The Zulu word 'eziyinkimbinkimbi' is derived from the verb 'ukukimbinkimba', meaning 'to search carefully' or 'to be fussy'. | |||
Bambara | ɲagamilen | ||
Ewe | si me nuwo le fũu | ||
Kinyarwanda | bigoye | ||
Lingala | mindondo | ||
Luganda | okukaluba | ||
Sepedi | hlakahlakane | ||
Twi (Akan) | ayɛ hwanyann | ||
Arabic | معقد | ||
The Arabic word 'معقد' can also refer to a grammatical clause with an implied subject. | |||
Hebrew | מורכב | ||
The word "מורכב" in Hebrew literally means "composed" and can also refer to something assembled out of different parts. | |||
Pashto | پېچلي | ||
The word "پېچلي" in Pashto can also mean "intricate", "complex", or "involved". | |||
Arabic | معقد | ||
The Arabic word 'معقد' can also refer to a grammatical clause with an implied subject. |
Albanian | e komplikuar | ||
The word "e komplikuar" in Albanian is derived from the Latin word "complicare", meaning "to fold together". | |||
Basque | konplikatua | ||
"Konplikatua" in Basque derives from the Latin "complicare," meaning "to fold" or "to entangle." | |||
Catalan | complicat | ||
The Catalan word "complicat" can also mean "entangled" or "intricate". | |||
Croatian | komplicirano | ||
The Croatian word 'komplicirano' is derived from the Latin word 'complicare', meaning 'to fold together' or 'to entangle'. | |||
Danish | kompliceret | ||
The Danish word "kompliceret" derives from Late Latin "complicare", meaning "to fold together". | |||
Dutch | ingewikkeld | ||
The Dutch word "ingewikkeld" has the alternate meaning of "wrapped up in" and derives from "wikkelen" (to wrap) and the prefix "in-" (in) | |||
English | complicated | ||
The word "complicated" comes from the Latin word "complicatus," which means "folded together" or "entangled." | |||
French | compliqué | ||
The term "compliqué" is directly derived from the Latin "complicatus", meaning "folded together", and was originally used in French to describe something that is entangled or difficult to separate | |||
Frisian | yngewikkeld | ||
The Frisian word "yngewikkeld" is derived from the Old Frisian word "yngewekeled", meaning "wrapped up" or "entangled". | |||
Galician | complicado | ||
German | kompliziert | ||
In German, "kompliziert" not only means "complicated" but also "plotted" or "planned", originating from Latin "complexus" meaning "entangled" or "braided". | |||
Icelandic | flókið | ||
"Flókið" can also refer to a piece of knitted clothing on which the pattern has gone awry due to an error. | |||
Irish | achrannach | ||
The word "achrannach" also means "strange" or "foreign" in Irish. | |||
Italian | complicato | ||
The Italian word "complicato" comes from the Latin verb "complicare", meaning "entwine" or "fold up." | |||
Luxembourgish | komplizéiert | ||
Maltese | ikkumplikata | ||
The word "ikkumplikata" is derived from the Italian word "complicata," which in turn comes from the Latin word "complicare," meaning "to fold together." | |||
Norwegian | komplisert | ||
The Norwegian word "komplisert" likely comes from the Latin word "complicare", which means "to fold together", suggesting that something kompistert is complex and difficult to unravel. | |||
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | complicado | ||
The word "complicado" can also mean "entangled" or "intricate" in Portuguese. | |||
Scots Gaelic | iom-fhillte | ||
The Gaelic word "iom-fhillte" can also mean "involved" or "entangled". | |||
Spanish | complicado | ||
In addition to meaning "complicated" in Spanish, "Complicado" can also mean "involved" or "difficult to understand." | |||
Swedish | komplicerad | ||
The word 'komplicerad' derives from the Old French 'compliqué' meaning 'folded' or 'intricate', and ultimately derives from the Latin 'complicare' meaning 'to fold' or 'to weave'. | |||
Welsh | cymhleth | ||
The word 'cymhleth' is derived from the Middle Welsh word 'cymmhleth,' meaning 'to tie or bind together,' and can also refer to a joint or assembly. |
Belarusian | складаны | ||
The word "складаны" also means "folded", "composed" or "arranged" in Belarusian. | |||
Bosnian | komplikovano | ||
While "komplikovano" means "complicated," its original meaning in Latin was more similar to "entangled" or "knotted" | |||
Bulgarian | сложно | ||
The word "сложно" is also used to describe something that is difficult or challenging to achieve or understand. | |||
Czech | složitý | ||
Czech "složitý" means "complicated" and also "fold" because it derives from root "skládat" (to fold). | |||
Estonian | keeruline | ||
The word "keeruline" comes from the Old Estonian word " keer " meaning " to twist" or "to wind." | |||
Finnish | monimutkainen | ||
The word "monimutkainen" is a compound of "moni" (many) and "mutka" (bend) | |||
Hungarian | bonyolult | ||
The word "bonyolult" is derived from the Hungarian word "bonyol", which means "to fold" or "to twist". | |||
Latvian | sarežģīti | ||
The word "sarežģīti" comes from the word "režģis" - a grid or a lattice. Thus, "sarežģīti" originally meant "composed of many grids or lattices" and referred to intricate or complicated patterns. | |||
Lithuanian | komplikuota | ||
The word 'komplikuota' in Lithuanian ultimately derives from the Latin word 'complicare', meaning 'to fold together'. | |||
Macedonian | комплицирано | ||
The word "комплицирано" comes from the Latin "complicare", meaning "to fold together". | |||
Polish | skomplikowany | ||
The Polish word "skomplikowany" comes from Latin "complicare", meaning "to fold" or "to make complex". | |||
Romanian | complicat | ||
"Complicat" is a Romanian word borrowed from French "compliqué", with the same meaning of "complex" or "difficult to understand." | |||
Russian | сложно | ||
Сложно' comes from 'сложить' "put together" and is a synonym of "difficult" in modern Russian. | |||
Serbian | компликован | ||
The word "компликован" (complicated) in Serbian also has the alternate meaning of "intricate" or "complex." | |||
Slovak | komplikované | ||
The Slovak word “komplikované” can also mean “pretentious” or “complex”. | |||
Slovenian | zapleteno | ||
The word zapleteno in Slovenian can also refer to something that is interwoven or intricate. | |||
Ukrainian | складний | ||
The word "складний" comes from the Old Slavic root *skladati*, meaning "to put together", and is related to the words "складати" (to put together), "склад" (a warehouse), and "складка" (a fold). |
Bengali | জটিল | ||
"জটিল" comes from the Sanskrit word "jaTiLa", meaning "a matted or twisted pile of hair." | |||
Gujarati | જટિલ | ||
The term "જટિલ" originated from Sanskrit and is related to intricate and interwoven elements. | |||
Hindi | उलझा हुआ | ||
The Hindi word "उलझा हुआ" derives from the Sanskrit word "उलझति," meaning "entanglement" or "perplexity." | |||
Kannada | ಸಂಕೀರ್ಣವಾಗಿದೆ | ||
It is derived from the Sanskrit word "samkirna," which means "mixed" or "complex." | |||
Malayalam | സങ്കീർണ്ണമാണ് | ||
Marathi | क्लिष्ट | ||
The word "क्लिष्ट" derives from the Sanskrit word "क्लिष्ट" meaning "difficult, entangled, or hard to understand." | |||
Nepali | जटिल | ||
The word "जटिल" is derived from the Sanskrit word "जट" meaning "matted hair" or "knotted" and can also refer to "intricate" or "complex". | |||
Punjabi | ਗੁੰਝਲਦਾਰ | ||
Sinhala (Sinhalese) | සංකීර්ණයි | ||
Tamil | சிக்கலானது | ||
The word "சிக்கலானது" can also mean "perplexed" or "entangled" in Tamil. | |||
Telugu | సంక్లిష్టమైనది | ||
Urdu | پیچیدہ | ||
Chinese (Simplified) | 复杂 | ||
复杂 originally referred to a weave with intricate patterns, hence its use to describe entanglement, perplexity, or complications. | |||
Chinese (Traditional) | 複雜 | ||
The first character "複" means "double" or "repeated", while the second character "雜" means "mixed" or "various", thus together they form the meaning of "complicated". | |||
Japanese | 複雑 | ||
The prefix '複' can mean 'again', 'repetition' or 'multiple', and the suffix '雑' means 'miscellaneous' or 'confusion'. | |||
Korean | 복잡한 | ||
복잡한 is derived from the word 복(福) meaning happiness and 잡(雜) meaning mixed. | |||
Mongolian | төвөгтэй | ||
The Mongolian word "төвөгтэй" literally translates to "with a head" and can also refer to someone who is stubborn or difficult to deal with. | |||
Myanmar (Burmese) | ရှုပ်ထွေး | ||
Indonesian | rumit | ||
"Rumit" is the Indonesian word for "complicated". It may also mean "detailed", "intricate", or "complex". | |||
Javanese | rumit | ||
The word "rumit" in Javanese also refers to a Javanese dance. | |||
Khmer | ភាពស្មុគស្មាញ | ||
Lao | ສັບສົນ | ||
Malay | rumit | ||
"Rumit" is also the root of "merumitkan" (to complicate) and "kerumitan" (complication). | |||
Thai | ซับซ้อน | ||
The Thai word "ซับซ้อน" can also be used as a noun to refer to a "complicated or intricate thing" | |||
Vietnamese | phức tạp | ||
The word "phức tạp" also means "complex" or "intricate" in Vietnamese. | |||
Filipino (Tagalog) | magulo | ||
Azerbaijani | mürəkkəbdir | ||
The word "mürəkkəbdir" in Azerbaijani has its roots in the Persian language and can also mean "compound" or "complex". | |||
Kazakh | күрделі | ||
The Kazakh word "күрделі" originally meant "knotted" or "entangled". | |||
Kyrgyz | татаал | ||
The word "татаал" in Kyrgyz can refer to either "complicated" or "to be tangled". | |||
Tajik | мураккаб | ||
The word "мураккаб" can also mean "composed of several parts" or "compound" in Tajik. | |||
Turkmen | çylşyrymly | ||
Uzbek | murakkab | ||
The word "murakkab" can also mean "compound" or "complex" in Uzbek, reflecting its multiple meanings in other languages. | |||
Uyghur | مۇرەككەپ | ||
Hawaiian | huikau | ||
'Huikau' can also mean 'to twist' or 'to curl up'. | |||
Maori | uaua | ||
The Maori word "uaua" can also mean "difficult" or "troublesome". | |||
Samoan | faigata | ||
The term 'faigata' in Samoan can also refer to something that is "difficult to understand" or "intricate" depending on the context of its usage. | |||
Tagalog (Filipino) | magulo | ||
Magulo literally means 'unswept' but is used figuratively to describe something intricate or disorganized. |
Aymara | ch'ama | ||
Guarani | mbojetu'u | ||
Esperanto | komplika | ||
The root of the word "komplika" is the Latin word "complicare", which means "to fold together". | |||
Latin | interdum eget | ||
The phrase "interdum eget" in Latin can also mean "sometimes it lacks" when referring to a situation or object. |
Greek | περίπλοκος | ||
Περὶ (around) + πλέκω (to weave) = περίπλοκος (entangled, intricate, complex) | |||
Hmong | muaj kev nyuaj | ||
The Hmong word "muaj kev nyuaj" literally means "to have difficulty" or "to be difficult." | |||
Kurdish | tevlihev | ||
Tevlihev can also mean 'intricate', 'difficult', or 'complex'. | |||
Turkish | karmaşık | ||
The word "karmaşık" has its roots in the Persian word "kar", meaning "work", and "ış", meaning "light", suggesting something that involves meticulous and illuminating work. | |||
Xhosa | inzima | ||
The Xhosa word “inzima” can be used to describe a situation as “difficult” or “problematic,” but it can also refer to “intricate” or “elaborate” situations. | |||
Yiddish | קאָמפּליצירט | ||
The Yiddish word "קאָמפּליצירט" (komplitsirt) is derived from the German word "kompliziert," which itself comes from the Latin word "complicare," meaning "to fold together." | |||
Zulu | eziyinkimbinkimbi | ||
The Zulu word 'eziyinkimbinkimbi' is derived from the verb 'ukukimbinkimba', meaning 'to search carefully' or 'to be fussy'. | |||
Assamese | জটিল | ||
Aymara | ch'ama | ||
Bhojpuri | जटिल | ||
Dhivehi | އުނދަގޫ | ||
Dogri | औक्खा | ||
Filipino (Tagalog) | magulo | ||
Guarani | mbojetu'u | ||
Ilocano | komplikado | ||
Krio | at | ||
Kurdish (Sorani) | ئاڵۆز | ||
Maithili | जटिल | ||
Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯌꯥꯝꯅ ꯂꯨꯕ | ||
Mizo | buaithlak | ||
Oromo | walxaxaa | ||
Odia (Oriya) | ଜଟିଳ | ||
Quechua | sasa | ||
Sanskrit | क्लिष्ट | ||
Tatar | катлаулы | ||
Tigrinya | ውስብስብ | ||
Tsonga | hlangahlangana | ||