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