Translation guide
The English verb 'complain' covers expressing dissatisfaction, making formal grievances, and describing physical ailments. Japanese uses different words and patterns depending on what you are complaining about and to whom.
To voice annoyance, discontent, or unhappiness about something, often informally.
The most common and natural way to say 'complain' in everyday conversation. Literally 'say a complaint'. Used for personal gripes.
彼はいつも食べ物に文句を言う。
He always complains about the food.
文句ばかり言わないで。
Stop complaining all the time.
To grumble or vent frustrations, often to a sympathetic listener. Implies a more emotional, less constructive complaint.
友達に仕事の愚痴をこぼした。
I complained about work to my friend.
A slightly more formal or written way to say 'complain', focusing on dissatisfaction or discontent.
彼は給料について不平を言った。
He complained about his salary.
To mutter complaints under one's breath; to grumble quietly. Very informal.
彼はいつも天気のことをぼやいている。
He's always grumbling about the weather.
To officially express dissatisfaction about a product, service, or situation, expecting a resolution.
The standard term for lodging a formal complaint. Used in customer service contexts.
騒音について大家に苦情を言った。
I complained to the landlord about the noise.
お客様から苦情が来た。
We received a complaint from a customer.
A common loanword phrase meaning 'to file a complaint'. Often used in business or consumer contexts.
不良品について会社にクレームを入れた。
I filed a complaint with the company about the defective product.
Literally 'to sue' or 'to appeal', but can mean to formally complain or bring a grievance, especially in legal or serious contexts.
To report or describe a medical symptom, ache, or discomfort.
Used in medical contexts to mean 'complain of (a symptom)'. The object is the symptom.
患者は胸の痛みを訴えた。
The patient complained of chest pain.
彼は頭痛を訴えて早退した。
He complained of a headache and left early.
A more general and less formal way to say 'complain of pain'. Can be used in daily conversation.
祖母はよく腰の痛みを言う。
My grandmother often complains of back pain.
The most straightforward way to say 'say that something hurts'. Very common in casual speech.
彼はお腹が痛いと言った。
He complained of a stomachache.
文句 (monku) is a general complaint or objection. 苦情 (kujō) is a formal complaint, often to an organization. 愚痴 (guchi) is a grumble or venting, not necessarily expecting a solution.
The English verb 'complain' does not have a single direct equivalent in Japanese. Using 文句を言う for a medical symptom or 訴える for a casual gripe will sound unnatural. Choose the expression based on context.
彼はいつも文句ばかり言っている。
He's always complaining.
サービスについて苦情を言いたいです。
I want to complain about the service.
彼女は喉の痛みを訴えた。
She complained of a sore throat.
彼は不当解雇を裁判所に訴えた。
He complained of unfair dismissal to the court.