繁杂 (fánzá) means complicated or intricate, often referring to things that are complex and multifaceted. It is commonly used to describe situations, tasks, or systems that involve many components, making them difficult to understand or manage.
HSK 7, 16 strokes, Hard
fánzá(fan2za2) T2
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May 27, 2026
繁杂fánzá(fan2za2)
繁杂 (fánzá) means complicated or intricate, often referring to things that are complex and multifaceted. It is commonly used to describe situations, tasks, or systems that involve many components, making them difficult to understand or manage.
Strokes16Frequency#—DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The concept of complexity is often reflected in traditional Chinese philosophy, where systems are viewed as interconnected, making many aspects of life, including family and societal structures, inherently 繁杂.
Memory Tip
Think of '繁' as a flourishing flower garden, full of various types, colors, and sizes of flowers, representing complexity. '杂' resembles mixed ingredients in a stew; together, they signify a garden (繁) that is too mixed up (杂) to easily navigate.
About 繁杂
繁杂Simplified
16Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 繁杂
Podcast: 繁杂
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AI Study Notes for 繁杂
Quick Contrast
复杂 (fùzá) refers to complexity but often emphasizes the intricate nature of something rather than the chaotic or mixed aspects suggested by 繁杂.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of '繁' as a flourishing flower garden, full of various types, colors, and sizes of flowers, representing complexity. '杂' resembles mixed ingredients in a stew; together, they signify a garden (繁) that is too mixed up (杂) to easily navigate.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone; the second syllable '杂' must be pronounced with a rising tone. This word is often used in more formal contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversations unless necessary.
HSK Study Tips
At HSK Level 7, focus on using 繁杂 in contexts related to academic discussions or professional settings. Connect it with other HSK 7 vocabulary like 复杂 (fùzá, complex) to enrich your expressions of complexity.
Cultural Note
The concept of complexity is often reflected in traditional Chinese philosophy, where systems are viewed as interconnected, making many aspects of life, including family and societal structures, inherently 繁杂.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 繁杂 with 复杂 (fùzá). While both mean complex, 繁杂 emphasizes the mixed nature and variety, whereas 复杂 focuses more on the intricacy. For example, saying '这个问题繁杂' instead of '这个问题复杂' can lead to misinterpretation.
AI-enhanced 2026-05-27
Pronunciation of 繁杂
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Cultural Notes for 繁杂
🏮Cultural insight
The concept of complexity is often reflected in traditional Chinese philosophy, where systems are viewed as interconnected, making many aspects of life, including family and societal structures, inherently 繁杂.
Frequently Asked Questions about 繁杂
You can use 繁杂 to describe complicated situations like bureaucratic processes, intricate designs, or even emotional relationships.
While it often has a negative connotation, it can also simply describe something as richly detailed or multifaceted.
It's generally more suitable for formal contexts, so consider using simpler words in casual conversations.
