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tricky

[/ˈtrɪki/]
adjective
complicado, difícil, astucioso
1. Requiring care, skill, or caution to handle or deal with; difficult to manage
The math problem was quite tricky.
O problema de matemática era bastante complicado.
2. Characterized by or involving deception or deceit; cunning or crafty
He used a tricky strategy to win the negotiation.
Ele usou uma estratégia astuta para ganhar a negociação.
3. Unreliable or unpredictable in behavior
The weather is tricky in autumn.
O tempo é imprevisível no outono.
NYC Slang
tricky dicky (cunning person); sketchy (when referring to unreliability)
Synonyms
difficultchallengingcunningdeceptivecraftycomplicatedcomplex
Antonyms
simpleeasyhoneststraightforwardreliable

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
complicado, difícil, astucioso
Most common usage in everyday Brazilian Portuguese
Rio de Janeiro
complicado, malandragem (for deceitful aspect)
Malandragem may be used colloquially for cunning behavior
São Paulo
complicado, difícil
Standard usage, often with emphasis on difficulty
Portugal
complicado, enganador, astuto
Slightly more formal; enganador used for deceptive meaning

Related Idioms & Phrases

a tricky situation
play tricks on someone
the tricky part is
tricky business
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