flókinn

Flókinn is an Icelandic adjective meaning complex or intricate. It is used to describe things that have many interrelated parts, steps, or layers, such as systems, plans, explanations, or narratives. The term conveys a sense of nuance and interconnectedness rather than mere difficulty.

In usage, flókinn can apply to both concrete and abstract phenomena. It often appears in contexts such as academic writing, journalism, technical descriptions, and everyday speech when something cannot be easily understood or explained at a glance. The word carries a connotation of sophistication or elaboration, suggesting that careful analysis or detailed consideration may be needed.

Morphology and grammar: as with Icelandic adjectives, flókinn inflects to agree with gender, number, and definiteness of the noun it modifies. This means the form of the adjective changes to match the noun in a sentence, a feature common to descriptive words in Icelandic.

Related terms and contrasts: flókið and flókin are related inflected forms describing different genders or definiteness in similar contexts. A common contrast is between flókinn (complex) and einfaldur (simple, plain), which highlights differing levels of complication or straightforwardness.

See also: Icelandic language; adjectives; grammar; terminology for complexity in language.