overkompliserte

Overkompliserte is a Norwegian adjective used to describe something that is excessively complex or needlessly intricate. It is typically applied to systems, processes, explanations, or designs that hinder understanding or usability rather than improving functionality.

Etymology: The word is formed from the prefix over- meaning excessive, attached to the verb komplisere, to complicate. The base adjective is komplisert (complicated); overkompliserte is an inflected form used to describe nouns in different grammatical contexts and to agree in gender and number.

Usage and connotations: The term is negative and evaluative; it appears in journalism, management discourse, and technical writing. It signals that a design or procedure is more complex than necessary, potentially reducing efficiency, clarity, or safety, and that simplification would improve outcomes.

Contexts and examples: It is commonly applied to bureaucratic forms, software interfaces, legal documents, and product manuals. It is often contrasted with simpler alternatives and with phrases like enkel, forenkling, and the broader goal of redusere kompleksitet (reducing complexity) in Norwegian.

Related terms: komplisert (complicated), enkel (simple), forenkling (simplification), kompleksitet (complexity). In English, comparable notions include overengineering or overcomplication, used to critique designs, policies, or explanations that exceed practical needs.

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