complicated relationship

[/ˈkɒmplɪkeɪtɪd rɪˈleɪʃənʃɪp/]

nounfemininepl: complicated relationships / relacionamentos complicados

relacionamento complicado

1. A romantic or personal relationship characterized by emotional complexity, unresolved issues, ambiguity, or difficulty in defining the nature or status of the relationship

They have a complicated relationship; they care about each other but can't seem to make it work.

Eles têm um relacionamento complicado; se importam um com o outro, mas não conseguem fazer funcionar.

2. A relationship marked by confusion about commitment, feelings, or expectations between two people

Her complicated relationship with her mother affected her romantic choices.

Seu relacionamento complicado com a mãe afetou suas escolhas românticas.

NYC Slang

it's complicated / messy situationship

Synonyms

complex relationship messy relationship troubled relationship on-and-off relationship relacionamento complexo relacionamento turbulento relacionamento confuso

Antonyms

simple relationship straightforward relationship healthy relationship relacionamento simples relacionamento saudável relacionamento claro

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese

relacionamento complicado

Most common usage; can also use 'relacionamento confuso' or 'relacionamento turbulento'

São Paulo

relacionamento complicado / de confusão

Urban usage; sometimes shortened to just 'confusão' in casual speech

Rio de Janeiro

relacionamento de confusão / muvuca

Colloquial variation; 'muvuca' adds a sense of chaos or mess

Portugal

relação complicada / relação confusa

Prefer 'relação' over 'relacionamento'; less formal than Brazilian usage

Related Idioms & Phrases

it's complicated (common Facebook relationship status)

on the rocks (relationship in difficulty)

a love-hate relationship

head over heels (contrasting emotion)

um relacionamento de vai e vem

estar em cima do muro (being on the fence about the relationship)

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