complex and subtle; delicately intricate
Describes something that is both complicated and nuanced, often used for situations, emotions, or artistic expressions that are hard to grasp simply.
His expression was complex and subtle, and I couldn't read his true feelings.
This issue contains complex and subtle elements.
複雑 simply means 'complex' or 'complicated', while 複雑微妙 adds the nuance of being subtle, delicate, or hard to define.
微妙 means 'subtle' or 'delicate', often implying something is hard to judge or express. 複雑微妙 combines both complexity and subtlety.
A compound of 複雑 (complex) and 微妙 (subtle/delicate). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it is a straightforward combination of two common Sino-Japanese words.