How to Say "complication" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “complication” is “complicación” — use this word when referring to an additional problem or difficulty that makes a situation more complex, especially in professional or medical contexts.
English → Spanish
complicación
nounB1general
Use this word when referring to an additional problem or difficulty that makes a situation more complex, especially in professional or medical contexts.
Examples
La operación fue un éxito, pero hubo una complicación postoperatoria.
The surgery was a success, but there was a postoperative complication.
lío
nounB1informal
Choose this word to describe a messy, complicated, or troublesome situation, often implying confusion or entanglement, like legal trouble or a personal mess.
Examples
Si no estudias, te meterás en un lío con el examen final.
If you don't study, you'll get into a mess with the final exam.
Complicación vs. Lío
Learners often confuse 'complicación' and 'lío'. Remember that 'complicación' is usually a specific new problem, while 'lío' describes a general state of being in a complicated or messy situation.
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