komplekst

Komplekst is a Norwegian adjective meaning complex: consisting of many interconnected parts, elements, or factors. It is used to describe systems, processes, problems, or phenomena that cannot be understood by looking at a single component in isolation. The term is common in science, technology, and everyday language.

In usage, kompleks and komplisert are related but carry different nuance. Komplekst emphasizes structural or organizational complexity, while komplisert tends to highlight difficulty or intricacy. For example, one may speak of et komplekst system, but et komplisert problem is also possible when the emphasis is on how hard it is to solve.

Etymologically, kompleks/komplekst derives from Latin complexus via French complexe and other European languages. In Norwegian, the form komplekst (neuter singular) is used before neuter nouns, with other inflections used for different genders and numbers, such as komplekse before plural or non-neuter nouns.

The term appears across disciplines. In mathematics, one speaks of komplekse tall (complex numbers). In chemistry and physics, it describes et komplekst molekyl eller et komplekse system. In psychology and related fields, komplekser (plural) refer to patterns of associated ideas or feelings. The word also appears in everyday descriptions of problems, projects, or organizational structures that involve many interacting parts.

See also: enkelt, kompleks (as a noun meaning a cluster or group), and the distinction between komplot/komplisert as used in Norwegian.