COMPLICATED1 having a lot of different parts and difficult to understand2 a complicated official systemRELATED WORDSoppositeSIMPLEsee alsoDIFFICULTPROBLEM1 having a lot of different parts and difficult to understand 有许多不同部分，难以理解的complicated /ˈkɒmplɪkeɪtəd, ˈkɒmpləkeɪtədǁˈkɑːm-/ [adjective]consisting of a lot of different parts or details and therefore difficult to understand 复杂的；费解的 I didn't realize programming the VCR would be so complicated. 我不知道给录像机设置定时录制会那么麻烦。 The brain is like a very powerful, very complicated computer. 大脑犹如一台功能非常强大、结构非常复杂的电脑。 the complicated problem of bringing peace to the Middle East 使中东实现和平的复杂问题complex /ˈkɒmpleksǁˌkɑːmˈpleks/ [adjective]acomplex process or system is difficult to understand because it has a lot of parts that are all connected in different ways 〔过程或系统〕复杂的；费解的 The chemical processes involved in the experiment are extremely complex. 该实验中的化学变化极其复杂。 The seminar focuses on the complex relationship between government, the military, and the media. 研讨会的重点在于政府、军队和媒体间的复杂关系。complexity /kəmˈpleksɪti, kəmˈpleksəti/ [uncountable noun] I don't think you fully understood the complexity of his argument. 我觉得你没有完全理解他论点的复杂性。intricate /ˈɪntrɪkɪt, ˈɪntrɪkət/ [adjective]having a lot of small parts or details - use this especially about something that is cleverly designed or made 〔尤指设计或制作〕复杂精细的 Lasers are used to cut intricate designs in wood. 激光被用来在木头上刻出精细的图案。 The farmers use an intricate system of drainage canals. 农民利用一套复杂的排水沟渠系统。 the intricate workings of a watch 手表精密的运作方式 intricate patterns of coloured marble 彩色大理石的精致图案elaborate /ɪˈlæbərɪt, ɪˈlæbərət/ [adjective]having a lot of parts or details and very carefully planned, but often more complicated than is necessary 详尽的；〔过于〕复杂的 Mike had worked out an elaborate system for categorizing his collection of CDs. 迈克设计出一个复杂的系统来为自己收藏的光盘分类。 Sociologists have been coming up with increasingly elaborate theories to explain unsafe sexual practices. 社会学家不断提出越来越复杂的理论为不安全性交作解释。involved /ɪnˈvɒlvdǁ-ˈvɑːlvd/ [adjective usually before noun]very long and complicated - use this about a system, description, or explanation that you think should be made simpler 复杂难懂的〔用于形容过于复杂的制度、描述或解释〕 The system for choosing candidates is very involved, and I won't go into it here. 推举候选人的制度十分复杂，在此我不想去解释。 Adopting a child can be a long involved process. 收养小孩可能是个漫长复杂的过程。tortuous /ˈtɔːʳtʃuəs/ [adjective]much too long and complicated, and therefore confusing and annoying 复杂的，曲折的 The book begins with a long, tortuous introduction. 这本书的导言冗长复杂。 At last, an end to the tortuous negotiations was in sight. 最终，一波三折的谈判有望快要结束了。convoluted /ˌkɒnvəˈluːtɪd◂, ˌkɒnvəˈluːtəd◂ǁˌkɑːn-/ [adjective]too complicated and difficult to understand - use this especially about someone's language or arguments, or about a system 费解的〔尤用于形容某人的语言、论点或形容一个制度〕 He always uses a lot of convoluted arguments to support his theories, but no one's ever impressed. 他总是用错综复杂的论据来证明自己的理论，可是没有给谁留下印象。 James's books are full of long paragraphs and convoluted sentences, which many people do not find appealing. 詹姆斯的书中全是大段文字和复杂的句子，许多人都不喜欢。2 a complicated official system 复杂的官方体系bureaucracy /bjʊəˈrɒkrəsiǁ-ˈrɑː-/ [uncountable noun]a complicated, official system in which there are a lot of rules and processes that you have to complete, especially one that employs a lot of people 官僚制度 The EU bureaucracy in Brussels has grown in size and authority. 欧盟在布鲁塞尔的官僚体系规模扩大了，权力也增加了。 We need less bureaucracy in the school system - teachers should be allowed to make more decisions. 教育制度中的官僚体系要少些——应当允许老师有较大的自主权。bureaucratic /ˌbjʊərəˈkrætɪk◂/ [adjective]involving a lot of complicated official rules and processes 官僚主义的；官僚作风的 The procedure for getting funding approval is so bureaucratic! 申请经费的手续真是烦琐！bureaucratic nightmareofficial system that is extremely complicated and annoying 复杂恼人的官僚制度 Trying to enforce the law regulating the length of passenger buses has been a bureaucratic nightmare. 试图执行控制公共汽车长度的法律成了官僚主义的繁文缛节。red tape /ˌred ˈteɪp/ [uncountable noun]complicated and annoying official rules that you have to obey before you can do or have something 〔官方的〕繁文缛节 There's so much red tape involved in getting a work permit. 取得工作许可证必须办理许多烦琐的手续。cut through red tapeavoid it 避开繁文缛节 There must be a way to cut through all this red tape. 这一套文牍主义肯定是有办法避开的。