ややこしい

ややこしい
i-adjective
complicated; confusing; troublesome
1. complicated; confusing; troublesome
Describes something that is unnecessarily complex, hard to understand, or bothersome to deal with. Often implies annoyance.
この手続(てつづ)きはややこしい。
This procedure is complicated.
ややこしい(はなし)になってきた。
This has become a complicated matter.
(かれ)との関係(かんけい)はややこしいんだ。
My relationship with him is complicated.

FORMS:

  • ややこしく (adverb) - complicatedly
  • ややこしさ (noun) - complication, complexity

USAGE:
ややこしい has a slightly colloquial feel and often implies frustration or annoyance with unnecessary complexity. It's commonly used in Kansai dialect but is understood nationwide.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • ややこしい(はなし) (complicated matter)
  • ややこしい手続(てつづ)き (complicated procedure)
  • ややこしい問題(もんだい) (complicated problem)
  • ややこしくなる (to become complicated)

REGISTER:
Casual to neutral. Common in everyday speech.

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 複雑(ふくざつ) - complex (neutral, more formal)
  • 面倒(めんどう) - troublesome (focuses on the bother)
  • ごちゃごちゃした - messy/jumbled (more visual)
  • ()かりにくい - hard to understand (focus on comprehension)