込み入った

• Reading: こみいった
• Romaji: komiita
• Kanji breakdown: 込 (komi) — crowded, packed; 入 (nyū/i) — enter, go in
• Pronunciation: /ko.mʲi.it.ta/

Meaning

Complicated; intricate; involved; complex. Describes a situation, problem, or relationship with many interlocking elements that make it hard to understand or resolve.

The past participle of 込み入る (komi-iru, to become complicated/crowded together), used adjectivally before nouns. It suggests multiple threads or factors are tangled together, making them difficult to separate or address individually. Commonly appears in legal, interpersonal, and narrative contexts.

Examples

1. 込み入った事情があって、簡単には説明できない。 The situation is complicated, so it's not easy to explain.
2. 遺産相続に関する込み入った問題が、家族間に亀裂を生んだ。 A complex dispute over inheritance created a rift within the family.
3. 彼は込み入った人間関係の中で、巧みに立ち回っていた。 He skillfully navigated his way through a tangled web of personal relationships.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, interpersonal, business, narrative

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Derived from the compound verb 込み入る, composed of 込む (komu, to be packed/crowded) and 入る (iru, to enter). The combination suggests elements entering and becoming densely packed — hence intricacy and complexity.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: General