Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Complicated" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "complicated", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
複雑な
ふくざつな (fukuzatsuna)
A2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
ややこしい
ややこしい (yayakoshii)
C1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "complicated" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 複雑な and ややこしい.
In Japanese, 複雑な (ふくざつな (fukuzatsuna)) is typically associated with "complicated" (Syllabus Level: A2) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR A2 vocabulary syllabus..
On the other hand, ややこしい (ややこしい (yayakoshii)) maps to "complicated, complex" (Syllabus Level: C1) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C1 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "complicated" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "複雑な"
これはとても複雑なですね。
This is very complicated, isn't it?
Bilingual Context for "ややこしい"
これはとてもややこしいですね。
This is very complicated, complex, isn't it?
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "これはとても ＿＿＿ ですね。" (Meaning: "This is very complicated, isn't it?")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "複雑な" fits here because it means "complicated" in the context of: "This is very complicated, isn't it?". "ややこしい" represents "complicated, complex".