aufwändig

Aufwändig is a German adjective that denotes something elaborate, time-consuming, or costly in terms of time, money, or resources. It is used for processes, mechanisms, or objects that require a substantial amount of effort to plan, produce, or maintain. The term can carry a neutral, descriptive sense, but it often implies a high level of complexity or investment and can be seen as praise for craftsmanship or as a critique of excess, depending on context.

Etymology and nuance: The word derives from the noun Aufwand, meaning effort or expenditure. The prefix auf- combined with the suffix -wändig signals that something incurs considerable expenditure or effort. This makes aufwändig particularly suitable for describing activities or items where the degree of investment is a defining feature.

Usage and examples: Aufwändig is common in design, architecture, film, publishing, and event planning. Examples include einer aufwändigen Kulisse (an elaborate set), einer aufwändigen Produktion (a costly production), or einer aufwändig veredelten Verpackung (an elaborately finished packaging). It is also used for processes that take much time, such as eine zeitaufwändige Reparatur (a time-consuming repair).

Collocations and related terms: The concept relates to Aufwand (effort, expenditure) and kannpekt time and cost. Synonyms or near-synonyms include aufwendig or zeitaufwendig, depending on the emphasis on design complexity versus duration. The opposite phrases are schlicht, einfach, or unaufwändig.

See also: Aufwand, Zeitaufwand, Kostenaufwand. Antonym: einfach, schlicht, unaufwändig.