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    ややこしくなる (to become complicated)

    Grammar & Usage

    verb phrase
    neutral

    How it works

    This phrase is formed by taking the i-adjective ややこしい (yayacoshii, meaning 'complicated' or 'confusing'), converting it to its adverbial form ややこしく, and attaching the verb なる (naru, 'to become'). It describes a situation, relationship, or problem transitioning into a state of greater complexity or entanglement. It is functionally similar to 複雑になる (fukuzatsu ni naru) but is slightly more conversational.

    Sample sentences

    余計なことを言うと、話がややこしくなるよ。

    If you say unnecessary things, the situation will only get more complicated.

    これ以上嘘をつくと、事態がさらにややこしくなる。

    If you tell any more lies, the situation will become even more tangled.

    ルールを増やしすぎると、かえってややこしくなると思う。

    I think adding too many rules will actually make things more confusing.

    Quick facts

    nuance:Slightly more colloquial and subjective than 複雑になる (fukuzatsu ni naru)
    polite_form:ややこしくなります (yayacoshiku narimasu)
    adjective_base:ややこしい (i-adjective)
    verb_conjugation:Godan verb conjugation (based on なる)

    Mnemonic

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    Example

    余計なことを言うと、話がややこしくなるよ。

    If you say unnecessary things, the situation will only get more complicated.

    これ以上嘘をつくと、事態がさらにややこしくなる。

    If you tell any more lies, the situation will become even more tangled.

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