凝こった

Meanings

noun-modifying (irregular)

Describes something made with great care, detail, or artistry, often implying refined taste. Used prenominally (before a noun).

Usage patterns

凝こった料りょう理りan elaborately prepared dish
彼かの女じょは凝こった料りょう理りを作つくるのが得とく意いだ。
She's good at making elaborate dishes.
凝こった作つくりelaborate construction or craftsmanship
この時計とけいは凝こった作つくりをしている。
This watch has an elaborate design.
凝こったデザインan intricate, elaborate design
このバッグは凝こったデザインが特とく徴ちょうだ。
This bag is known for its elaborate design.
凝こった仕し掛かけan elaborate mechanism or trick
この脱だっ出しゅつゲームには凝こった仕し掛かけがたくさんある。
This escape room has a lot of elaborate mechanisms.

Kanji

凝congeal, freeze, stiff

Related words

精せい巧こうN1
精巧 stresses fine, precise craftsmanship (e.g. of machinery or artwork), while 凝った stresses that effort and personal flair went into the design.
手ての込こんだ
手の込んだ highlights the labor and many steps behind something (especially cooking or handwork), whereas 凝った focuses more on the tasteful, detailed result.
洗せん練れんされた
洗練された emphasizes refined, polished taste with nothing excessive, while 凝った emphasizes intricate detail and effort, which can even seem fussy.

Opposites

単たん純じゅんN3
単純 describes something simple and uncomplicated, the opposite of 凝った, which describes something elaborately worked out.
簡かん素そN1
簡素 describes something plain and minimal, contrasting with 凝った, which describes something richly detailed or fancy.

Etymology

Prenominal form of the verb 凝る (こる), originally meaning 'to become stiff' or 'to concentrate', which developed the sense of something being intricately worked or refined.