Complain in different languages

Complain in Different Languages

Discover 'Complain' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.

Updated on March 6, 2024

Complaining is a universal human experience, a way to express dissatisfaction or discomfort with a situation or thing. It holds significance in every culture, serving as a release for frustration and a call for change. But have you ever wondered how to express this sentiment in different languages?

The word 'complain' has fascinating historical contexts too. For instance, in Old French, 'complaindre' meant 'to lament' or 'to mourn'. Understanding its translation in various languages can provide insights into how different cultures approach and articulate dissatisfaction, making for a richer cross-cultural understanding.

Here are some intriguing translations of 'complain': In Spanish, it's 'quejarse'; in German, 'beschweren'; in French, 'se plaindre'; in Mandarin, 抱怨 ('bào yàn'); in Japanese, クレーム ('kureimu') or 불평 ('bulpyeon') in Korean. Explore more below!

Complain


Complain in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaanskla
Kla, meaning "complain," also means "to sound a loud, piercing noise" in Afrikaans.
Amharicአጉረመረሙ
አጉረመረሙ derives from the verb 'to murmur' and can also mean 'to complain'.
Hausakoka
Some have suggested that the word "koka" may be related to the Fulfulde word "koko" meaning "cry".
Igbomee mkpesa
The word "mee mkpesa" can also mean "to express dissatisfaction" or "to make a protest."
Malagasyhitaraina
The Malagasy word "hitaraina" is thought to be derived from the Proto-Austronesian word "hiqar", which means "to complain" or "to grumble"
Nyanja (Chichewa)dandaula
The word "dandaula" in Nyanja has the alternate meaning of "argue".
Shonanyunyuta
In Karanga and other Nguni languages, 'nyunyuta' means to 'cry' and not 'complain'.
Somalicabasho
The Somali word "cabasho" originally meant "to speak" and only later came to mean "to complain".
Sesothotletleba
The word 'tletleba' can also be translated as 'grumble or mutter', indicating dissatisfaction or irritation beyond mere complaining.
Swahilikulalamika
The word "kulalamika" in Swahili originates from the Proto-Bantu word "-lalamika" meaning "whining".
Xhosakhalaza
The word 'khalaza' also means 'the chalazae of an egg'.
Yorubakerora
The verb "kerora" also means "to beg" or "to entreat" in Yoruba.
Zulukhononda
The word “khononda” can also be used to express a feeling of discontent or dissatisfaction.
Bambaramakasi
Ewenyatoto
Kinyarwandakwitotomba
Lingalakomilela
Lugandaokwemulugunya
Sepedibelaela
Twi (Akan)bɔ kwaadu

Complain in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicتذمر
In classical Arabic, "تذمر" meant "to speak in a low voice", from "ذَمَر" which denotes a "slight noise like that of wood burning"
Hebrewלְהִתְלוֹנֵן
The Hebrew word "לְהִתְלוֹנֵן" also means "to spy" or "to look around".
Pashtoشکایت کول
"شکایت کول" means "complain" in Pashto, but it literally means "to bear a complaint."
Arabicتذمر
In classical Arabic, "تذمر" meant "to speak in a low voice", from "ذَمَر" which denotes a "slight noise like that of wood burning"

Complain in Western European Languages

Albanianankohen
The word "ankohen" also has the alternate meaning of "to become hoarse".
Basquekexatu
The Basque word 'kexatu' has Indo-European cognates from Latin, Germanic, and Slavic language families with meanings related to 'worry' or 'anxiety'.
Catalanqueixar-se
The Catalan verb "queixar-se" derives from Latin "quaerere" (to seek or inquire), hinting at the seeking of relief or understanding through complaining.
Croatianprigovarati
"Prigovarati" can also mean "to condemn" or "to judge" in Croatian.
Danishbrokke sig
The word "brokke sig" comes from the Old Norse word "brokka", meaning "to grumble" or "to mutter".
Dutchklagen
The Dutch word "klagen" can also refer to mourning, wailing, or lamentation.
Englishcomplain
The word "complain" comes from the Latin word "complangere," meaning "to lament loudly" or "to beat one's breast in grief."
Frenchse plaindre
In Old French, “se plaindre” meant to lament or express sadness, but gradually came to mean to express dissatisfaction.
Frisiankleie
In Frisian, the word "kleie" not only means "complain," but also "itch," suggesting a connection between bodily and emotional discomfort.
Galicianqueixarse
The Galician word "queixarse" is derived from the Latin "querellare", meaning "to make a complaint or accusation".
Germanbeschweren
The word "beschweren" (complain) derives from the Old High German "bisweren" (to swear), and has retained its original meaning of "to bear witness under oath".
Icelandickvarta
The Icelandic word 'kvarta' comes from a Danish loanword meaning 'to grumble' and is related to 'quarto', used in musical notation.
Irishgearán a dhéanamh
The Irish phrase "gearán a dhéanamh" is cognate with the Welsh phrase "gerwyn" (''lament'') and the Breton phrase "geriañ" (''lament, cry, complain'') and is thought to derive from a Proto-Celtic verb meaning ''to cry out''.
Italianlamentarsi
"lamentarsi" is derived from the Latin "lamentari," meaning "to wail, mourn, or lament."
Luxembourgishbeschwéieren
The verb "beschwéieren" comes from the Old High German "biswern" and originally meant "to swear" or "to make an oath."
Maltesetilmenta
The verb 'tilmenta' (complain) originates from the Italian verb 'tormentare' meaning 'to torment'.
Norwegianklage
Its etymology and root words are the same as "claim" in English.
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)reclamar
In Portuguese, the verb "reclamar" also means "to claim" or "to demand"
Scots Gaelicgearan
In addition to its primary meaning of 'complain', 'gearan' can also mean 'noise', 'din' or 'clamour' in Scots Gaelic, reflecting its onomatopoeic origin from the sound of groaning or complaining.
Spanishquejar
The word "quejar" is derived from the Latin word "quaerere" meaning "to ask, inquire, seek".
Swedishklaga
The word "klaga" in Swedish originates from the Old Norse word "klægja," meaning "to weep" or "to lament."
Welshcwyno
The word "cwyno" can also mean "to lament" or "to mourn".

Complain in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianскардзіцца
"Скардзіцца" is derived from the Proto-Slavic word "*skǫditi", which can mean "to slander, accuse, criticize, complain."
Bosnianžaliti se
In addition to meaning "complain," žaliti se can also mean "to mourn" or "to grieve."
Bulgarianоплакват
The word 'оплакват' is derived from the Proto-Slavic word 'oplakati', meaning 'to bewail or lament'.
Czechstěžovat si
The word "stěžovat si" can also mean "to weigh" or "to put on scales".
Estoniankurtma
The Estonian word "kurtma" is derived from the Proto-Finnic word *kurta, meaning "to grumble".
Finnishvalittaa
"Valittaa" can also mean "to regret" or "to grieve" in Finnish, reflecting its roots in the word "valo" (light), as in "to mourn the loss of light".
Hungarianpanaszkodik
The word "panaszkodik" comes from the word "panasz", meaning "complaint" or "grievance".
Latviansūdzēties
The word "sūdzēties" likely originates from the Proto-Indo-European word "sūd" meaning "to accuse".
Lithuanianreikšti nepasitenkinimą
The word "reikšti nepasitenkinimą" also means "express dissatisfaction".
Macedonianсе жалат
The word "се жалат" can also mean "to desire" or "to long for" in Macedonian.
Polishskarżyć się
"Skarżyć się" in Polish derives from the Old Polish verb "skarać," meaning "to punish".
Romanianse plâng
The verb "se plâng" derives from a Proto-Indo-European root "*klweg," meaning "cry, scream".
Russianжаловаться
The word "жаловаться" in Russian can also mean "to testify" or "to give an account".
Serbianжалити се
The verb "жалити се" (zhaliti se) is derived from the Proto-Slavic word "*žaliti", which originally meant "to regret" or "to feel sorry".
Slovaksťažovať sa
"Sťažovať sa" is a verb in Slovak that means "to complain", but it also means "to squeeze" or "to press" something.
Slovenianpritožba
The word 'pritožba' in Slovenian originates from the word 'pritok', which means 'inflow' or 'complaint'.
Ukrainianскаржитися
The Ukrainian word “скаржитися” (“complain”) is related to the word “скарга” (“complaint”), which in turn derives from the Proto-Slavic root *skorgъ (“sorrowful, angry”)

Complain in South Asian Languages

Bengaliঅভিযোগ
The word অভিযোগ (obhijog) comes from the Sanskrit word 'abhiyoga', which means 'accusation' or 'charge', and is used to denote a formal complaint or accusation made against someone.
Gujaratiફરિયાદ
The word 'ફરિયાદ' can also mean 'petition,' 'application,' or 'representation,' and is ultimately derived from the Persian word 'farz,' meaning 'duty' or 'necessity.'
Hindiशिकायत
The word "शिकायत" comes from the Persian word "shikayat" which means "to complain" or "to express grievance".
Kannadaದೂರು
"ದೂರು" means not only "complain", but also "distance".
Malayalamപരാതിപ്പെടുക
പരാതിപ്പെടുക, which means
Marathiतक्रार
Derived from Sanskrit "tri-karshana" (meaning "to pull or drag in three directions") and ultimately from the root "karsh" (meaning "to pull, draw, or drag").
Nepaliगुनासो
गुनासो derives from the Sanskrit word 'guna' meaning 'virtue' or 'quality', and has evolved to mean 'complaint' in Nepali.
Punjabiਸ਼ਿਕਾਇਤ
The Punjabi word "ਸ਼ਿਕਾਇਤ" (shikaayat) originally meant "to seek justice" or "to lodge a complaint with an authority."
Sinhala (Sinhalese)පැමිණිලි
The Sinhalese word "පැමිණිලි" can also refer to a "complaint" in the sense of a formal legal document.
Tamilபுகார்
The word "புகார்" not only signifies a "complaint" but also denotes a "petition" or even a "place of pilgrimage".
Teluguఫిర్యాదు
The word "ఫిర్యాదు" can also refer to a legal notice or a complaint filed in court.
Urduشکایت
In Urdu, the word "شکایت" also means "complaint" or "grievance".

Complain in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)抱怨
抱怨 (bàoyuàn) literally means 'to protect (报) the grievances (怨)'. Grievances were historically written on bamboo sticks.
Chinese (Traditional)抱怨
抱怨 (bàoyuàn) literally means 'telling (訴) sorrows (怨)'. It can also refer to a 'complaint case' (告訴).
Japanese不平を言う
不平を言う (fuhei wo iu): to complain, to grumble, to find fault
Korean불평하다
The Korean word 불평하다 (bul-pyeong-ha-da) can also mean "grumble" or "lament."
Mongolianгомдоллох
The word "гомдоллох" derives from "гомдол" (a complaint) and the suffix "-ллох" (to make or do something).
Myanmar (Burmese)တိုင်ကြား

Complain in South East Asian Languages

Indonesianmengeluh
The word 'mengeluh' in Indonesian derives from the old Malay word 'gluh' which means 'to groan or murmur'.
Javanesesambat
The word "sambat" can also mean "to ask for help", and it is related to the Sanskrit word "sambodhana" meaning "addressing someone respectfully".
Khmerត្អូញត្អែរ
The word "ត្អូញត្អែរ" also means to be nagging or to be constantly making small requests or demands.
Laoຈົ່ມ
The word "ຈົ່ມ" can also mean "to mourn" or "to cry".
Malaymengeluh
The word "mengeluh" in Malay literally means "to let out gas" or "to fart", but it is also commonly used to mean "to complain".
Thaiบ่น
The word "บ่น" also has the alternate meaning of "to talk continuously to oneself".
Vietnamesethan phiền
The word "than phiền" can also mean "to be a nuisance" or "to be troublesome".
Filipino (Tagalog)magreklamo

Complain in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijanişikayət
The word 'şikayət' also means 'petition' or 'appeal' in Azerbaijani.
Kazakhшағымдану
The word "шағымдану" in Kazakh, besides meaning "complain", also refers to "lamenting" or "regretting".
Kyrgyzарыздануу
The Kyrgyz word "арыздануу" is derived from the Persian word "هعنارند" (arzdasht), which means "petition" or "complaint".
Tajikшикоят кардан
The noun shikoyat derives from Arabic, and means both 'complaint' and 'lament for the dead'.
Turkmenarz etmek
Uzbekshikoyat qilish
The Uzbek word "shikoyat qilish" can also refer to informing someone about a crime.
Uyghurئاغرىنىش

Complain in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianʻōhumu
'Ōhumu', meaning 'complain', is also an archaic word for shark.
Maoriamuamu
The word amuamu can also refer to the act of begging or supplicating, or more figuratively, to importune someone for something.
Samoanfaitio
The Samoan word "faitio" can also mean to criticize, accuse, or find fault with someone.
Tagalog (Filipino)sumbong
"'Sumbong'" may also be an old term for "witch" or "fairy".

Complain in American Indigenous Languages

Aymarakijasiña
Guaranichi'õ

Complain in International Languages

Esperantoplendi
Esperanto's "plendi" is based on the Latin "plangere" (to mourn), which also gives us "plaintiff" and "complain" in English.
Latinqueri
The Latin word "queri" also means "to seek" or "to desire".

Complain in Others Languages

Greekκανω παραπονα
In ancient Greece, "κανω παραπονα" was used to refer to calling for aid or asking for a favor
Hmongyws
The word "yws" can also mean "to grumble" or "to mumble" in Hmong.
Kurdishgilîkirin
In Persian, the word "gilîkirin" also means "to get upset" and "to nag".
Turkishşikayet
"Şikayet" is also a Turkish word for "hunting" originating from the Persian word "şikâr" for "hunted animal".
Xhosakhalaza
The word 'khalaza' also means 'the chalazae of an egg'.
Yiddishבאַקלאָגנ זיך
The word 'בקלאגען' (baklagn or beklagen in Standard German) derives from the Middle High German verb 'klagn' (to cry, to lament).
Zulukhononda
The word “khononda” can also be used to express a feeling of discontent or dissatisfaction.
Assameseঅভিযোগ কৰা
Aymarakijasiña
Bhojpuriसिकायत
Dhivehiޝަކުވާކުރުން
Dogriशकैत
Filipino (Tagalog)magreklamo
Guaranichi'õ
Ilocanoagreklamo
Kriokɔmplen
Kurdish (Sorani)سکاڵا
Maithiliशिकायत
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯋꯥꯀꯠꯄ
Mizosawisel
Oromokomachuu
Odia (Oriya)ଅଭିଯୋଗ କରନ୍ତୁ
Quechuawillarikuy
Sanskritअभियुनक्ति
Tatarзарлану
Tigrinyaምንፅርፃር
Tsongaxivilelo

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