complicated
gb/kˈɑmplɪkˌeɪtɪd/ us/kˈɑmplɪkˌeɪtɪd/
B1
Anglais
bonyolult, összetett, szövődményes, komplikált
B1
1
bonyolult
B1
Schéma d’usage :
[something] is complicated (to understand/explain)
The instructions are complicated, so read them twice before you start.
Az utasítások bonyolultak, ezért olvasd el őket kétszer, mielőtt nekilátsz.
She gave a complicated explanation that left everyone more confused.
Olyan bonyolult magyarázatot adott, hogy mindenki csak még jobban összezavarodott.
It’s a complicated topic, but the basic idea is straightforward.
Exemples pédagogiques
This is complicated.
Ez bonyolult.
The question is complicated.
A kérdés bonyolult.
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may use *complex* and *complicated* as identical; *complicated* often implies difficulty for people to understand or deal with.
Sens
hard to understand or explain
Collocations
a complicated idea
|a complicated concept
|a complicated explanation
|a complicated theory
|complicated instructions
|a complicated question
|a complicated problem
|a complicated formula
|a complicated subject
|a complicated diagram
Synonymes
complex (More neutral; can sound less negative.)
|
confusing (Emphasizes that it’s hard to follow.)
Antonymes
simple (Easy to understand or explain.)
|
clear (Easy to follow and understand.)
Thèmes
communication
|education
|daily_life
Définition
Not easy to understand.
Difficult to understand, describe, or explain clearly.
B1
2
Schéma d’usage :
a complicated [system/process/machine]
It’s a complicated process with several approval steps.
Ez egy bonyolult folyamat, amely több jóváhagyási lépésből áll.
The old heating system is complicated and expensive to repair.
A régi fűtési rendszer bonyolult, és drága a javítása.
They replaced the complicated schedule with a simpler rotation.
Exemples pédagogiques
The process is complicated.
A folyamat bonyolult.
This machine looks complicated.
Ez a gép bonyolultnak tűnik.
Erreur fréquente :
Don’t confuse with *difficult* only; something can be complicated because it has many parts, even if each part is easy.
Sens
having many parts or steps
Collocations
a complicated system
|a complicated process
|a complicated machine
|a complicated procedure
|a complicated design
|a complicated setup
|a complicated schedule
|a complicated plan
|a complicated structure
|a complicated network
Synonymes
intricate (Suggests fine detail and careful design.)
|
elaborate (Often implies many details; can be positive.)
Antonymes
straightforward (Simple and easy to do or understand.)
|
basic (Without many details or parts.)
Thèmes
technology
|work
|daily_life
Définition
With many parts or many steps.
Made up of many connected parts, details, or steps, often in a way that is hard to manage or understand quickly.
B2
3
Schéma d’usage :
a complicated [situation/case/matter]
It’s a complicated situation, and there isn’t a quick fix.
Ez egy bonyolult helyzet, és nincs rá gyors megoldás.
The case is complicated by missing records and conflicting statements.
Az ügyet a hiányzó iratok és az egymásnak ellentmondó vallomások bonyolítják.
Moving abroad can be complicated when visas and taxes are involved.
Exemples pédagogiques
The situation is complicated.
A helyzet bonyolult.
It’s complicated to solve.
Bonyolult a megoldása.
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may say *a complicated* when they mean *a difficult*; *complicated* implies multiple factors or details, not just effort.
Sens
hard to deal with
Collocations
a complicated situation
|a complicated case
|a complicated matter
|a complicated issue
|a complicated decision
|a complicated negotiation
|a complicated dispute
|a complicated history
|a complicated arrangement
|a complicated set of circumstances
Synonymes
messy (Informal; emphasizes disorder and lack of clarity.)
|
tricky (Informal; emphasizes that it needs careful handling.)
Antonymes
easy (Not difficult to handle.)
|
simple (Involves few factors or problems.)
Thèmes
daily_life
|work
|problem_solving
Définition
Hard to deal with because many things affect it.
Difficult to handle because it involves many factors, problems, or uncertainties.
B2
4
Schéma d’usage :
a complicated relationship with [someone]
He has a complicated relationship with his parents.
Bonyolult a kapcsolata a szüleivel.
I have complicated feelings about going back to my old job.
Vegyes érzéseim vannak azzal kapcsolatban, hogy visszamenjek-e a régi munkahelyemre.
Their friendship became complicated after they started working together.
Exemples pédagogiques
I have complicated feelings.
Vegyes érzéseim vannak.
They have a complicated relationship.
Bonyolult a kapcsolatuk.
Erreur fréquente :
In this sense, *complicated* does not mean “hard to understand”; it means the relationship has problems or mixed feelings.
Sens
emotionally difficult relationship
Collocations
a complicated relationship
|a complicated friendship
|a complicated marriage
|a complicated breakup
|complicated feelings
|a complicated past
|a complicated family dynamic
|a complicated relationship with his father
|a complicated history with her ex
|a complicated love life
Synonymes
difficult (More general; not necessarily about mixed feelings.)
|
strained (Emphasizes tension between people.)
Antonymes
healthy (Emotionally supportive and functioning well.)
|
easy (Comfortable and without many problems.)
Thèmes
relationships
|emotions
|social
Définition
Not simple because of feelings or past problems.
Having emotional or personal difficulties, often because of mixed feelings, past events, or unclear boundaries between people.
C1
TECHNICAL
5
szövődményes
C1
komplikált
B2
Schéma d’usage :
a complicated [pregnancy/infection/fracture]
The doctor said it was a complicated fracture that would take time to heal.
Az orvos azt mondta, komplikált törésről van szó, és időbe telik majd, mire meggyógyul.
Most cases are uncomplicated, but a few become complicated by infection.
A legtöbb eset szövődménymentes, de néhány fertőzés miatt szövődményessé válik.
She had a complicated recovery and needed extra monitoring.
Exemples pédagogiques
It was a complicated case.
Komplikált eset volt.
The recovery was complicated.
A felépülést szövődmények nehezítették.
Erreur fréquente :
This is a medical meaning; in everyday talk, people more often say “serious” or “not straightforward.”
Sens
with medical complications
Collocations
a complicated pregnancy
|a complicated infection
|a complicated fracture
|a complicated recovery
|a complicated surgery
|a complicated case
|a complicated delivery
|a complicated diagnosis
|a complicated illness
|a complicated wound
Synonymes
complex (Common in clinical contexts; emphasizes multiple factors.)
|
serious (Not the same; focuses on severity rather than added conditions.)
Antonymes
uncomplicated (Without additional problems or conditions.)
Thèmes
health
|medicine
Définition
In medicine, having extra problems that make it harder to treat.
In medicine, involving additional problems or conditions that make an illness, injury, or treatment more difficult than usual.
B2
6
Schéma d’usage :
a complicated [sentence/argument/piece]
Try not to use overly complicated sentences in this essay.
Próbálj meg nem túl bonyolult mondatokat használni ebben az esszében.
The novel has a complicated plot with many characters.
A regénynek összetett cselekménye van, sok szereplővel.
It’s a complicated argument, but the conclusion is clear.
Exemples pédagogiques
The plot is complicated.
A cselekmény összetett.
This sentence is complicated.
Ez a mondat bonyolult.
Erreur fréquente :
For writing, *complicated* can sound negative (hard to follow). If you mean “sophisticated,” choose that word.
Sens
not simple in structure
Collocations
a complicated sentence
|a complicated grammar point
|a complicated argument
|a complicated plot
|a complicated storyline
|a complicated piece of music
|a complicated proof
|a complicated equation
|a complicated analysis
|a complicated structure
Synonymes
complex (Often preferred in academic contexts.)
|
sophisticated (More positive; suggests skill and refinement.)
Antonymes
simple (Has few elements and is easy to follow.)
|
plain (Without extra detail or complexity.)
Thèmes
education
|language
|arts
Définition
Not simple in its structure.
Having a structure with many elements or layers, especially in language, music, or academic work.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
complicated
API
GB/kˈɑmplɪkˌeɪtɪd/
US/kˈɑmplɪkˌeɪtɪd/
Syllabes et accentuation
com - plic - ated (3 syllabes)
Stress on 1st syllable (com)
Formes du mot
Adjective
- Base: complicated
Famille de mots
Core family
complicate
verb B1
complication
noun B1
Related words
complex
adjective B1
complexity
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
uncomplicated
adjective
Advanced or less common
overcomplicate
verb
overcomplicated
adjective
Expressions
[something] is complicated by [something]
1/sˈʌmθɪŋ ˈɪz kˈɑmplɪkˌeɪtɪd bˈaɪ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
made harder by another factor
Another thing makes it harder.
Exemples
- The rescue was complicated by bad weather.
- The investigation was complicated by a lack of witnesses.
- The project is complicated by new regulations.
Exemples pédagogiques
- The trip was complicated by rain.
it's complicated.
1/ˈɪts kˈɑmplɪkˌeɪtɪd ‖/
fixed phrase
informal
hard to explain simply
I can’t explain it easily; it’s not simple.
Exemples
- Are you two dating? It’s complicated.
- Why did you quit? It’s complicated—I’ll tell you later.
- Do you like him? It’s complicated.
Exemples pédagogiques
- It’s complicated.
- My situation is complicated.
to make matters more complicated
1/tə mˈeɪk mˈætɚz mˈɔɹ kˈɑmplɪkˌeɪtɪd/
fixed phrase
add another difficulty
And then there was another problem.
Exemples
- To make matters more complicated, the bank was closed that day.
- To make matters more complicated, we didn’t have her current address.
- The train was delayed, and to make matters more complicated, my phone battery died.
Exemples pédagogiques
- To make matters more complicated, it started raining.
to make things complicated
1/tə mˈeɪk θˈɪŋz kˈɑmplɪkˌeɪtɪd/
fixed phrase
make it unnecessarily difficult
To make it harder than necessary.
Exemples
- Stop making things complicated—just choose one option.
- He made things complicated by changing the plan at the last minute.
- We don’t need to make things complicated; the solution is simple.
Exemples pédagogiques
- Don’t make things complicated.