Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Complicated'

English Word: complicated

Key Russian Translations:

• сложный [ˈsloʐnɨj] - [Formal/Informal, General Use]
• запутанный [zɐˈputɐnːɨj] - [Often used for tangled or confusing situations]
• трудный [ˈtrudnɨj] - [Formal/Informal, Often for difficulty]

Frequency: High (commonly used in various contexts)

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate; varies slightly by translation)

Pronunciation (Russian):

сложный: [ˈsloʐnɨj]

Note on сложный: Stress falls on the first syllable; the "ж" sound is a voiced retroflex fricative, unique to Russian.

запутанный: [zɐˈputɐnːɨj]

Note on запутанный: Stress on the second syllable; the double "н" indicates a slightly prolonged consonant sound.

трудный: [ˈtrudnɨj]

Note on трудный: Stress on the first syllable; straightforward pronunciation for learners.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Difficult to understand or solve

Translation(s) & Context:

• сложный - Used for complex ideas, tasks, or problems.
• запутанный - Refers to something tangled or confusing, often abstract.

Usage Examples:

• Этот вопрос очень сложный.

  This question is very complicated.

• У нас сложная ситуация на работе.

  We have a complicated situation at work.

• История оказалась запутанной.

  The story turned out to be complicated (confusing).

2. Involving many challenges or effort

Translation(s) & Context:

• трудный - Often used for something requiring effort or skill.
• сложный - Can also apply to tasks or processes.

Usage Examples:

• Это был трудный выбор.

  It was a complicated (difficult) choice.

• Сложный процесс требует времени.

  A complicated process requires time.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

сложный (Adjective): Declines according to gender, number, and case as a typical Russian adjective.

Case	Masculine	Feminine	Neuter	Plural
Nominative	сложный	сложная	сложное	сложные
Genitive	сложного	сложной	сложного	сложных

запутанный (Adjective): Follows similar declension patterns as "сложный."

трудный (Adjective): Also declines regularly like other adjectives.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for сложный/запутанный/трудный:

• сложный - трудоемкий (labor-intensive), непростой (not simple)
• запутанный - путаный (confusing), неясный (unclear)
• трудный - тяжелый (hard), нелегкий (not easy)

Antonyms:

• простой (simple)
• легкий (easy)

Related Phrases:

• сложная задача - A complicated task
• запутанная история - A complicated (confusing) story
• трудное время - A complicated (difficult) time

Usage Notes:

• "Сложный" is the most versatile translation, suitable for intellectual complexity or intricate tasks.
• "Запутанный" often implies confusion or entanglement, best for abstract or narrative contexts.
• "Трудный" emphasizes difficulty or hardship, often used for emotional or physical challenges.
• Choose based on context; mixing these up can alter the intended meaning significantly.

Common Errors:

1. Confusing "запутанный" with "сложный": Learners often use "запутанный" for any complex idea, but it specifically means "tangled" or "confusing." For general complexity, "сложный" is better.

Example of Error: Этот математический пример запутанный. (Incorrect)

Correct Usage: Этот математический пример сложный. (This math example is complicated.)

2. Overusing "трудный" for abstract complexity: "Трудный" is better for difficulty involving effort, not necessarily intellectual complexity.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, describing something as "сложный" or "трудный" can sometimes carry a tone of respect for the challenge, especially in academic or professional contexts. Complaining about something being "запутанный" might imply frustration with unnecessary complexity, often in bureaucratic or personal matters.

Related Concepts:

• проблема (problem)
• трудность (difficulty)
• сложность (complexity)