Translation guide
This guide covers how to express that a situation, problem, or process becomes more complex or difficult to deal with in Japanese. It focuses on natural phrasing for English speakers, including common verbs and patterns.
To say that a situation, matter, or problem becomes complicated or complex.
The most direct and common way to say 'become complicated'. 複雑 (fukuzatsu) means 'complicated' or 'complex', and になる means 'to become'. Suitable for most contexts.
問題が複雑になった。
The problem became complicated.
The situation is becoming more and more complicated.
A more colloquial and slightly stronger way to say 'become complicated', often implying something is messy, tangled, or troublesome. Common in spoken Japanese.
話がややこしくなってきた。
The story is getting complicated.
手続きがややこしくなりそうだ。
The procedure seems likely to become complicated.
A more formal, often written term meaning 'to become complicated' or 'to grow complex'. Used for societal issues, systems, etc.
社会問題が複雑化している。
Social problems are becoming complicated.
Used when a situation, relationship, or negotiation becomes complicated in a negative, tangled, or hard-to-resolve way. Often implies things have gone wrong.
交渉がこじれてしまった。
The negotiations became complicated (and stalled).
To emphasize that something becomes complicated because many elements or people are involved.
Means to become intricate or complicated, often used for stories, situations, or procedures with many details. Slightly formal.
事情が込み入っている。
The circumstances are complicated.
Specifically for when a story or explanation becomes complicated. Very common in conversation.
説明しているうちに話がややこしくなった。
While explaining, the story got complicated.
To describe feelings or relationships becoming complicated, often with romantic or interpersonal nuances.
Literally 'to become a complicated feeling', used when one's emotions are mixed or conflicted.
彼の言葉を聞いて、複雑な気持ちになった。
Hearing his words, I felt complicated (had mixed feelings).
Often used for relationships or threads becoming tangled/complicated. Can imply a romantic entanglement.
二人の関係がもつれてしまった。
Their relationship became complicated (entangled).
複雑になる is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal settings. ややこしくなる is more colloquial and carries a nuance of being troublesome or messy. Avoid ややこしくなる in very formal writing.
この問題は複雑だ。
This problem is complicated. (neutral)
この問題はややこしい。
This problem is a pain / messy. (colloquial)
Avoid directly translating 'become' as 〜になる in all cases. For some verbs like こじれる or もつれる, the verb itself already contains the meaning of becoming complicated. Using 〜になる with them would be unnatural.