cuò错interwovenzōng综tangledfù复complexzá杂complicated
Intricate; complicated; complex.
Literal meaning
interwoven (错) — tangled (综) — complex (复) — complicated (杂)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase describing a complex situation.
Examples
Zhège wèntí cuòzōng-fùzá.这个问题错综复杂。
This problem is intricate.
Rénjì guānxi cuòzōng-fùzá.人际关系错综复杂。
Interpersonal relationships are complex.
Usage & nuances
Describes a situation or problem that is difficult to understand or resolve.
Learn idioms by speaking them
Idioms are most useful when they land in a real conversation. Practice them out loud in Kango — get instant feedback on tone and timing.
Download Kango on iOS