Japanese Conversation · Level 31
90 words
Japanese word
ややこしい
Pronunciation
Romajiyayakoshii
Meaning
- i-adjectiveconfusing
Example
この説明はややこしいです。ko no setsu mei wa ya ya ko shi i de su
This explanation is confusing.
More examples
話し合いはややこしくなりました。hana shi a i wa ya ya ko shi ku na ri ma shi ta
The discussion became complicated.
Core concept
It presents details or relationships in a tangled form that makes a matter difficult to understand or deal with.
Common phrases
ややこしい事情ya ya ko shi i ji jō
complicated circumstances
ややこしい計算ya ya ko shi i kei san
a confusing calculation
ややこしい説明ya ya ko shi i setsu mei
a confusing explanation
Similar words
紛らわしいmagirawashii: It is easy to mistake one thing for another because of a similarity.
わかりにくいwakarinikui: It is not easy to understand because the meaning or structure is unclear.
難しいmuzukashii: It requires much thought or effort to understand or deal with.
Definition in Japanese
事情や関係などが込み入っていて、わかりにくく扱いにくいさま。ji jō ya kan kei na do ga ko mi i tte i te wa ka ri ni ku ku atsuka i ni ku i sa ma
Word origin
ややこしい (yayakoshii) is a native Japanese adjective associated with ややこ (yayako, "baby"), though the exact change in meaning is not certain.
Usage tips
- Unlike a word limited to difficult tasks, ややこしい (yayakoshii) commonly applies to tangled situations, instructions, relationships, and explanations in everyday conversation.