这些形容词均含“复杂的”之意。
complex : 侧重内在关系的复杂，需通过仔细研究与了解才能掌握和运用。
- a complex molecule/carbohydrate
复杂的分子／碳水化合物 - a complex network of roads
错综复杂的道路网 - a complex procedure
复杂的程序 - The company has a complex organizational structure.
公司组织结构非常复杂。
complicated与complex的含义接近，但语气更强，着重极其复杂，很难分析、分辨或解释。
- complicated instructions
复杂的指令 - I had to fill in this really complicated form.
我必须填写这张非常复杂的表格。 - The rules are rather complicated to follow.
这些规定遵守起来挺复杂的。 - The relationship is a bit complicated. He's my mother's cousin's daughter's child.
关系有点儿复杂，他是我母亲的表姐的女儿的孩子。
sophisticated : 侧重指事物发展到或达到高级的程度所体现出的复杂。
- She was slim, svelte, and sophisticated.
她身材苗条，体态娇美，处事练达。 - I don't think I have any books that would suit your sophisticated tastes.
我认为我没有什么书能满足你那高雅的品位。 - He was older than me and from London and I thought him very sophisticated.
他比我大，而且来自伦敦，我觉得他为人很老练。
intricate : 着重指错综复杂，令人迷惑理解。
- The watch mechanism is extremely intricate and very difficult to repair.
手表的机械结构非常复杂精细，很难修理。 - Police officers uncovered an intricate web of deceit.
警官们揭开了一整套错综复杂的骗局。
