complain
gb/kəmplˈeɪn/ us/kəmplˈeɪn/
A2
Inglés
~ 2200
Acepciones
0 acepciones
Verbo
A2
action
1
Express dissatisfaction or annoyance
To say you are not happy about something or that something is wrong.
Patrón de uso:
to complain about [something]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes confuse 'complain' with 'explain'. 'Complain' is about saying something is bad, while 'explain' is about making something clear.
Sinónimos
grumble (More informal and often suggests quiet or habitual complaining.)
|
protest (Implies stronger opposition, sometimes in a public or formal context.)
Antónimos
praise (Expressing approval instead of dissatisfaction.)
Colocaciones
complain bitterly
|complain constantly
|complain loudly
|complain repeatedly
|complain to management
Temas
daily life
|emotions
|communication
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- She often complains about the noise from her neighbors.
- The customers complained to the manager about the slow service.
- 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.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- I complained about the food in the restaurant.
- He complained to the teacher about the homework.
- She complained that the bus was late.
- The man complained about the dirty bathroom.
- They complained to the hotel staff.
Verbo
formal
B1
action
2
Report wrongdoing to authority
To tell an authority that someone did something wrong or broke a rule.
Patrón de uso:
to complain to [authority] about [someone/something]
Error frecuente:
Learners may use this meaning in casual contexts where a more general sense is intended; this meaning usually involves formal or official action.
Sinónimos
report (Neutral term for informing an authority; may not imply dissatisfaction by the speaker.)
Antónimos
ignore (To choose not to take action about a wrong or problem.)
Colocaciones
complain formally
|complain in writing
|complain to police
|complain to HR
Temas
law
|business
|communication
|daily_life
Ejemplos
- Several employees complained to HR about harassment in the workplace.
- She complained to the city council about unsafe roads.
- 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.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- I complained to the police about my stolen bike.
- She complained to the teacher about a student.
- 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.
Verbo
B1
action
3
Express pain or discomfort
To tell someone that you feel pain or are sick.
Patrón de uso:
to complain of [pain/illness]
Error frecuente:
Learners might confuse 'complain of' with 'complain about'; 'complain of' is used for medical symptoms.
Sinónimos
report (In medical contexts, a neutral way to state symptoms without emotional tone.)
Antónimos
deny symptoms (To state that one does not have pain or illness.)
Colocaciones
complain of pain
|complain of dizziness
|complain of feeling unwell
Temas
health
|emotions
|communication
|body
Ejemplos
- The patient complained of chest pain before collapsing.
- She complained of a headache all day.
- 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.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- I complained of a headache.
- He complained of stomach pain.
- She complained of feeling cold.
- They complained of being tired.
- The man complained of back pain.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
complain
AFI
GB/kəmplˈeɪn/
US/kəmplˈeɪn/
Sílabas y acento
com - plain (2 sílabas)
Stress on 2nd syllable (plain)
Formas de la palabra
Verb
- Base: complain
- 3rd Person Singular: complains
- Present Participle: complaining
- Past: complained
Familia de palabras
Forms
complains
verb
complaining
verb
complained
verb
Core family
complaint
noun B1
Related words
complainer
noun
Advanced or less common
complainant
noun
Expresiones
complain about
1/kəmplˈeɪn əbˈaʊt/
fixed phrase
Say you are unhappy with something specific
To say you are unhappy about a certain thing.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- Life is good here; I have nothing to complain about.
- He has a great job and family, so he has nothing to complain about.