复杂
fùzá · HSK 3
complicated
🧩 复杂 = 复 (repeat/multiple) + 杂 (mixed/miscellaneous)
复 means repeated or multiple layers; 杂 means mixed or jumbled. Together: many layers all mixed together = complicated. 杂 also shows up in 杂志 (magazine, lit. mixed records) and 杂货 (sundries).
杂 — 九 (nine) + 木 (tree) — simplified from 雜
Simplified from 雜, which combined 衣 (clothing) with 集 (gather), suggesting clothes of mixed colors gathered together. The original sense was 'mixed, varied,' extended to 'miscellaneous' and 'jumbled.' Modern 杂 keeps the meaning but uses a simpler shape.