# 盘根错节

pán gēn cuò jié

Be complicated and closely interwoven

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Twisted roots and crossing joints

**Traditional Chinese:** 盤根錯節

**Register:** General · spoken & written

[Perspective](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/perspective)

## When to use it

Describe a problem with many connected parts.

Complexity does not mean a solution is impossible.

## The image & its use

Roots can wind around one another until separating a single strand requires care. The expression applies that tangled structure to a situation with many dependencies. A schedule, old filing system, or set of responsibilities may become difficult to untangle. The point is not merely that there are many items, but that each affects others. Mapping the connections can make progress possible. Identify a manageable starting point instead of treating the complexity as a reason to stop.

## Examples

旧系统的流程盘根错节。

### Traditional Chinese

舊系統的流程盤根錯節。

jiù xì tǒng de liú chéng pán gēn cuò jié 。

The old system's processes are intricately connected.

这些时间安排盘根错节，要逐项整理。

### Traditional Chinese

這些時間安排盤根錯節，要逐項整理。

zhè xiē shí jiān ān pái pán gēn cuò jié ， yào zhú xiàng zhěng lǐ 。

The schedules are intertwined and need sorting one item at a time.

问题虽然盘根错节，仍有解决办法。

### Traditional Chinese

問題雖然盤根錯節，仍有解決辦法。

wèn tí suī rán pán gēn cuò jié ， réng yǒu jiě jué bàn fǎ 。

Although complex, the problem can still be solved.

她画了图来说明盘根错节的关系。

### Traditional Chinese

她畫了圖來說明盤根錯節的關係。

tā huà le tú lái shuō míng pán gēn cuò jié de guān xì 。

She drew a diagram to explain the interwoven relationships.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 7, 2026.

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=1104&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E7%9B%A4%E6%A0%B9%E9%8C%AF%E7%AF%80)

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