complain
gb/kəmplˈeɪn/ us/kəmplˈeɪn/
A2
Englanti
~ 2200
Merkitykset
0 merkitystä
Verbi
A2
action
1
Express dissatisfaction or annoyance
To say you are not happy about something or that something is wrong.
Käyttömalli:
to complain about [something]
Tyypillinen virhe:
Learners sometimes confuse 'complain' with 'explain'. 'Complain' is about saying something is bad, while 'explain' is about making something clear.
Synonyymit
grumble (More informal and often suggests quiet or habitual complaining.)
|
protest (Implies stronger opposition, sometimes in a public or formal context.)
Antonyymit
praise (Expressing approval instead of dissatisfaction.)
Kollokaatiot
complain bitterly
|complain constantly
|complain loudly
|complain repeatedly
|complain to management
Teemat
daily life
|emotions
|communication
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Esimerkit
- 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.
Oppijaesimerkit
- 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.
Verbi
formal
B1
action
2
Report wrongdoing to authority
To tell an authority that someone did something wrong or broke a rule.
Käyttömalli:
to complain to [authority] about [someone/something]
Tyypillinen virhe:
Learners may use this meaning in casual contexts where a more general sense is intended; this meaning usually involves formal or official action.
Synonyymit
report (Neutral term for informing an authority; may not imply dissatisfaction by the speaker.)
Antonyymit
ignore (To choose not to take action about a wrong or problem.)
Kollokaatiot
complain formally
|complain in writing
|complain to police
|complain to HR
Teemat
law
|business
|communication
|daily_life
Esimerkit
- 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.
Oppijaesimerkit
- 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.
Verbi
B1
action
3
Express pain or discomfort
To tell someone that you feel pain or are sick.
Käyttömalli:
to complain of [pain/illness]
Tyypillinen virhe:
Learners might confuse 'complain of' with 'complain about'; 'complain of' is used for medical symptoms.
Synonyymit
report (In medical contexts, a neutral way to state symptoms without emotional tone.)
Antonyymit
deny symptoms (To state that one does not have pain or illness.)
Kollokaatiot
complain of pain
|complain of dizziness
|complain of feeling unwell
Teemat
health
|emotions
|communication
|body
Esimerkit
- 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.
Oppijaesimerkit
- 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.
Kielioppi
Sanakirjamuoto
complain
IPA
GB/kəmplˈeɪn/
US/kəmplˈeɪn/
Tavut ja painotus
com - plain (2 tavua)
Stress on 2nd syllable (plain)
Taivutusmuodot
Verb
- Base: complain
- 3rd Person Singular: complains
- Present Participle: complaining
- Past: complained
Sanaperhe
Forms
complains
verb
complaining
verb
complained
verb
Core family
complaint
noun B1
Related words
complainer
noun
Advanced or less common
complainant
noun
Ilmaukset
complain about
1/kəmplˈeɪn əbˈaʊt/
fixed phrase
Say you are unhappy with something specific
To say you are unhappy about a certain thing.
Esimerkit
- 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.
Esimerkit
- 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.
Esimerkit
- Life is good here; I have nothing to complain about.
- He has a great job and family, so he has nothing to complain about.