complicated
gb/kˈɑmplɪkˌeɪtɪd/ us/kˈɑmplɪkˌeɪtɪd/
B1
Anh
Các nghĩa
0 nghĩa
adjective
B1
property
1
hard to understand or explain
Not easy to understand.
Mẫu sử dụng:
[something] is complicated (to understand/explain)
Lỗi thường gặp:
Learners may use *complex* and *complicated* as identical; *complicated* often implies difficulty for people to understand or deal with.
Từ đồng nghĩa
complex (More neutral; can sound less negative.)
|
confusing (Emphasizes that it’s hard to follow.)
Từ trái nghĩa
simple (Easy to understand or explain.)
|
clear (Easy to follow and understand.)
Cụm từ đi kèm
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
Chủ đề
communication
|education
|daily_life
Ví dụ
- The instructions are complicated, so read them twice before you start.
- She gave a complicated explanation that left everyone more confused.
- It’s a complicated topic, but the basic idea is straightforward.
Ví dụ cho người học
- This is complicated.
- The question is complicated.
adjective
B1
property
2
having many parts or steps
With many parts or many steps.
Mẫu sử dụng:
a complicated [system/process/machine]
Lỗi thường gặp:
Don’t confuse with *difficult* only; something can be complicated because it has many parts, even if each part is easy.
Từ đồng nghĩa
intricate (Suggests fine detail and careful design.)
|
elaborate (Often implies many details; can be positive.)
Từ trái nghĩa
straightforward (Simple and easy to do or understand.)
|
basic (Without many details or parts.)
Cụm từ đi kèm
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
Chủ đề
technology
|work
|daily_life
Ví dụ
- It’s a complicated process with several approval steps.
- The old heating system is complicated and expensive to repair.
- They replaced the complicated schedule with a simpler rotation.
Ví dụ cho người học
- The process is complicated.
- This machine looks complicated.
adjective
B2
property
3
hard to deal with
Hard to deal with because many things affect it.
Mẫu sử dụng:
a complicated [situation/case/matter]
Lỗi thường gặp:
Learners may say *a complicated* when they mean *a difficult*; *complicated* implies multiple factors or details, not just effort.
Từ đồng nghĩa
messy (Informal; emphasizes disorder and lack of clarity.)
|
tricky (Informal; emphasizes that it needs careful handling.)
Từ trái nghĩa
easy (Not difficult to handle.)
|
simple (Involves few factors or problems.)
Cụm từ đi kèm
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
Chủ đề
daily_life
|work
|problem_solving
Ví dụ
- It’s a complicated situation, and there isn’t a quick fix.
- The case is complicated by missing records and conflicting statements.
- Moving abroad can be complicated when visas and taxes are involved.
Ví dụ cho người học
- The situation is complicated.
- It’s complicated to solve.
adjective
B2
property
4
emotionally difficult relationship
Not simple because of feelings or past problems.
Mẫu sử dụng:
a complicated relationship with [someone]
Lỗi thường gặp:
In this sense, *complicated* does not mean “hard to understand”; it means the relationship has problems or mixed feelings.
Từ đồng nghĩa
difficult (More general; not necessarily about mixed feelings.)
|
strained (Emphasizes tension between people.)
Từ trái nghĩa
healthy (Emotionally supportive and functioning well.)
|
easy (Comfortable and without many problems.)
Cụm từ đi kèm
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
Chủ đề
relationships
|emotions
|social
Ví dụ
- He has a complicated relationship with his parents.
- I have complicated feelings about going back to my old job.
- Their friendship became complicated after they started working together.
Ví dụ cho người học
- I have complicated feelings.
- They have a complicated relationship.
adjective
technical
C1
property
5
with medical complications
In medicine, having extra problems that make it harder to treat.
Mẫu sử dụng:
a complicated [pregnancy/infection/fracture]
Lỗi thường gặp:
This is a medical meaning; in everyday talk, people more often say “serious” or “not straightforward.”
Từ đồng nghĩa
complex (Common in clinical contexts; emphasizes multiple factors.)
|
serious (Not the same; focuses on severity rather than added conditions.)
Từ trái nghĩa
uncomplicated (Without additional problems or conditions.)
Cụm từ đi kèm
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
Chủ đề
health
|medicine
Ví dụ
- The doctor said it was a complicated fracture that would take time to heal.
- Most cases are uncomplicated, but a few become complicated by infection.
- She had a complicated recovery and needed extra monitoring.
Ví dụ cho người học
- It was a complicated case.
- The recovery was complicated.
adjective
B2
property
6
not simple in structure
Not simple in its structure.
Mẫu sử dụng:
a complicated [sentence/argument/piece]
Lỗi thường gặp:
For writing, *complicated* can sound negative (hard to follow). If you mean “sophisticated,” choose that word.
Từ đồng nghĩa
complex (Often preferred in academic contexts.)
|
sophisticated (More positive; suggests skill and refinement.)
Từ trái nghĩa
simple (Has few elements and is easy to follow.)
|
plain (Without extra detail or complexity.)
Cụm từ đi kèm
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
Chủ đề
education
|language
|arts
Ví dụ
- Try not to use overly complicated sentences in this essay.
- The novel has a complicated plot with many characters.
- It’s a complicated argument, but the conclusion is clear.
Ví dụ cho người học
- The plot is complicated.
- This sentence is complicated.
Ngữ pháp
Dạng từ điển
complicated
IPA
GB/kˈɑmplɪkˌeɪtɪd/
US/kˈɑmplɪkˌeɪtɪd/
Âm tiết và trọng âm
com - plic - ated (3 âm tiết)
Stress on 1st syllable (com)
Các dạng từ
Adjective
- Base: complicated
Họ từ
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
Cách diễn đạt
[something] is complicated by [something]
1/sˈʌmθɪŋ ˈɪz kˈɑmplɪkˌeɪtɪd bˈaɪ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
made harder by another factor
Another thing makes it harder.
Ví dụ
- The rescue was complicated by bad weather.
- The investigation was complicated by a lack of witnesses.
- The project is complicated by new regulations.
it's complicated.
1/ˈɪts kˈɑmplɪkˌeɪtɪd ‖/
fixed phrase
informal
hard to explain simply
I can’t explain it easily; it’s not simple.
Ví dụ
- 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.
to make matters more complicated
1/tə mˈeɪk mˈætɚz mˈɔɹ kˈɑmplɪkˌeɪtɪd/
fixed phrase
add another difficulty
And then there was another problem.
Ví dụ
- 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.
to make things complicated
1/tə mˈeɪk θˈɪŋz kˈɑmplɪkˌeɪtɪd/
fixed phrase
make it unnecessarily difficult
To make it harder than necessary.
Ví dụ
- 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.