complain
gb/kəmplˈeɪn/ us/kəmplˈeɪn/
A2
English
~ 2200
panaszkodik, reklamál, panaszt tesz, bejelentést tesz, feljelentést tesz, panaszol
VERB
A2
1
panaszkodik
B1
reklamál
B1
Usage pattern:
to complain about [something]
She often complains about the noise from her neighbors.
Gyakran panaszkodik a szomszédai zajára.
The customers complained to the manager about the slow service.
A vásárlók panaszkodtak az üzletvezetőnek a lassú kiszolgálás miatt.
He complained that the room was too cold.
Residents have been complaining about the lack of parking spaces.
They complained loudly when their flights were delayed.
Learner examples
I complained about the food in the restaurant.
Panaszkodtam az étteremben az étel miatt.
He complained to the teacher about the homework.
Panaszkodott a tanárnak a házi feladat miatt.
She complained that the bus was late.
The man complained about the dirty bathroom.
They complained to the hotel staff.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'complain' with 'explain'. 'Complain' is about saying something is bad, while 'explain' is about making something clear.
Meaning
Express dissatisfaction or annoyance
Collocations
complain bitterly
|complain constantly
|complain loudly
|complain repeatedly
|complain to management
Synonyms
grumble (More informal and often suggests quiet or habitual complaining.)
|
protest (Implies stronger opposition, sometimes in a public or formal context.)
Antonyms
praise (Expressing approval instead of dissatisfaction.)
Themes
daily life
|emotions
|communication
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To say you are not happy about something or that something is wrong.
To say that you are unhappy or annoyed about something, often to try to get it changed or improved.
VERB
B1
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
to complain to [authority] about [someone/something]
Several employees complained to HR about harassment in the workplace.
Több alkalmazott panaszt tett a HR-osztálynál munkahelyi zaklatás miatt.
She complained to the city council about unsafe roads.
Panaszt tett az önkormányzatnál a veszélyes utak miatt.
The victim complained to the police about the theft.
Tenants have formally complained about the lack of heating.
He complained in writing to the airline about lost luggage.
Learner examples
I complained to the police about my stolen bike.
Feljelentést tettem a rendőrségen az ellopott biciklim miatt.
She complained to the teacher about a student.
Panaszt tett a tanárnál egy diák miatt.
They complained to the boss about their pay.
The woman complained to the bank about extra charges.
We complained to the landlord about no hot water.
Common mistake:
Learners may use this meaning in casual contexts where a more general sense is intended; this meaning usually involves formal or official action.
Meaning
Report wrongdoing to authority
Collocations
complain formally
|complain in writing
|complain to police
|complain to HR
Synonyms
report (Neutral term for informing an authority; may not imply dissatisfaction by the speaker.)
Antonyms
ignore (To choose not to take action about a wrong or problem.)
Themes
law
|business
|communication
|daily_life
Definition
To tell an authority that someone did something wrong or broke a rule.
To make a formal accusation or report about a problem, wrongdoing, or illegal act to an authority.
VERB
B1
3
panaszkodik
B1
panaszol
B2
Usage pattern:
to complain of [pain/illness]
The patient complained of chest pain before collapsing.
A beteg mellkasi fájdalomra panaszkodott, mielőtt összeesett.
She complained of a headache all day.
Egész nap fejfájásra panaszkodott.
He went to the doctor complaining of stomach cramps.
Several passengers complained of nausea during the trip.
Children were complaining of feeling tired after the hike.
Learner examples
I complained of a headache.
Fejfájásra panaszkodtam.
He complained of stomach pain.
Gyomorfájásra panaszkodott.
She complained of feeling cold.
They complained of being tired.
The man complained of back pain.
Common mistake:
Learners might confuse 'complain of' with 'complain about'; 'complain of' is used for medical symptoms.
Meaning
Express pain or discomfort
Collocations
complain of pain
|complain of dizziness
|complain of feeling unwell
Synonyms
report (In medical contexts, a neutral way to state symptoms without emotional tone.)
Antonyms
deny symptoms (To state that one does not have pain or illness.)
Themes
health
|emotions
|communication
|body
Definition
To tell someone that you feel pain or are sick.
To say that you feel pain, discomfort, or illness.
Grammar
Dictionary form
complain
IPA
GB/kəmplˈeɪn/
US/kəmplˈeɪn/
Syllables & stress
com - plain (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (plain)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: complain
- 3rd Person Singular: complains
- Present Participle: complaining
- Past: complained
Word family
Forms
complains
verb
complaining
verb
complained
verb
Core family
complaint
noun B1
Related words
complainer
noun
Advanced or less common
complainant
noun
Expressions
complain about
1/kəmplˈeɪn əbˈaʊt/
fixed phrase
Say you are unhappy with something specific
To say you are unhappy about a certain thing.
Examples
- People often complain about the weather in winter.
- She complained about her workload being too heavy.
complain of
1/kəmplˈeɪn əv/
fixed phrase
Say you have pain or illness symptoms
To say you feel pain or are sick.
Examples
- He complained of chest pains before going to hospital.
- She complained of feeling dizzy after standing up.
have nothing to complain about
1/hˈæv nˈʌθɪŋ tə kəmplˈeɪn əbˈaʊt/
idiom
Have no reason to be unhappy
To have everything fine and no problems to talk about.
Examples
- Life is good here; I have nothing to complain about.
- He has a great job and family, so he has nothing to complain about.