Translation guide
The state or quality of being intricate, complicated, or having many interconnected parts. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through nouns, adjectives, and descriptive phrases that emphasize difficulty, intricacy, or multi-layered structure.
Describing something as complex, intricate, or not simple.
The most direct and common noun for 'complexity', derived from the adjective 複雑な (complex). Used for abstract and concrete situations.
この問題の複雑さには驚かされた。
I was surprised by the complexity of this problem.
A more formal or technical term for complexity, often used in academic or scientific contexts.
システムの複雑性が増している。
The complexity of the system is increasing.
A phrase meaning 'the fact of being complex', often used in everyday speech when a noun form is needed.
複雑なことは何もないよ。
There's nothing complex about it.
Emphasizing the detailed, intricate nature of something, like a design or mechanism.
Also covers intricacy; context distinguishes it from general complexity.
この時計の機構の複雑さは素晴らしい。
The intricacy of this watch's mechanism is amazing.
Refers to elaborateness and precision, often with a positive connotation of craftsmanship.
その彫刻の精巧さに感心した。
I admired the intricacy of the carving.
A descriptive phrase for a tangled or intricate state, often used for plots or situations.
話が込み入った様子で、理解するのが難しかった。
The story was so intricate that it was hard to understand.
Expressing that something is hard to understand or deal with because of its complexity.
While primarily meaning 'difficulty', it often implies complexity when the difficulty stems from intricacy.
この数学の問題の難しさは異常だ。
The complexity of this math problem is extraordinary.
A colloquial noun meaning 'complicatedness' or 'trickiness', common in casual speech.
手続きのややこしさにうんざりした。
I got fed up with the complexity of the procedure.
Describing something with many layers, aspects, or dimensions.
Literally 'multi-layeredness', used in technical or analytical contexts.
この小説の多層性が評価された。
The complexity (multi-layered nature) of this novel was praised.
Means 'multifacetedness', emphasizing many sides or aspects.
問題の多面性を考慮する必要がある。
We need to consider the complexity (many facets) of the issue.
複雑さ is the everyday word for complexity. 複雑性 is more formal and often used in technical or academic writing, similar to 'complexity' vs. 'complicatedness' in English.
When describing a person as 'complex', Japanese often uses 複雑な性格 (complex personality) rather than a noun form. Saying 彼は複雑さがある sounds unnatural; instead use 彼は複雑な人だ or 彼の性格は複雑だ.
状況の複雑さに圧倒されている。
The complexity of the situation is overwhelming.
その仕事の複雑さに気づかなかった。
I didn't realize the complexity of the task.