complain
To express feelings of pain, dissatisfaction, or resentmentTo express feelings of pain, dissatisfaction, or resentment.
» We have nothing to complain about.
Wir können uns über nichts beschweren.
Нам не на что жаловаться.
Нам немає на що жалітися.
Нам немає на що скаржитися.
Meaning
4 senses(intransitive)To express feelings of pain, dissatisfaction, or resentment.
Joe was always complaining about the noise made by his neighbours.
sich beschweren, klagen, sich beklagen
жа́ловатьсяžálovatʹsja, сетоватьsetovatʹ, нытьnytʹ
ска́ржитисяskáržytysja, ни́тиnýty, жалі́тисяžalítysja
(intransitive)To state the presence of something negative; to indicate that one is suffering from something; to report (e.g.) a symptom.
The patient complained of headache, nausea, and joint pain.
(intransitive)To make a formal accusation or bring a formal charge.
They've complained about me to the police again.
sich beschweren, klagen
жа́ловатьсяžálovatʹsja, подава́ть жа́лобуpodavátʹ žálobu
ска́ржитисяskáržytysja
make a formal accusation; bring a formal charge
To creak or squeak, as a timber or wheel.
the complaining bed-springs
Examples
1524 sentencesWe have nothing to complain about.
Нам немає на що жалітися. — deniko
ruНам не на что жаловаться. — marafon
deWir können uns über nichts beschweren. — Pfirsichbaeumchen
I used to complain a lot.
Я раніше багато скаржився. — deniko
ruРаньше я много жаловался. — Ivanovb
I hardly ever complain about anything.
Я майже ніколи ні про що не жаліюся. — deniko
deIch beschwere mich kaum je über etwas. — Pfirsichbaeumchen
You hardly ever complain about anything.
Ти майже ніколи ні на що не жалієшся. — deniko
You almost never complain about anything.
Ти майже ніколи ні на що не скаржишся. — deniko
ruТы почти никогда ни на что не жалуешься. — marafon
Translations
8 languagesBy meaning 1
By meaning 2
By meaning 1
Origin
From Middle English complaynen, from Old French complaindre, from Medieval Latin complangeFrom Middle English complaynen, from Old French complaindre, from Medieval Latin complangere (“to bewail, complain”), from Latin com- (“together”) + plangere (“to strike, beat, as the breast in extreme grief, bewail”); see plain, plaint.
Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Forms
complains, complaining, complained, complained| Base form | complain · to complain |
|---|---|
| 3rd person singular | complains |
| Present participle | complaining |
| Past simple | complained |
| Past participle | complained |
regular · Lesson
Synonyms
46 synonymsAntonyms
1 antonymsWord family
17 related wordsLessons for this word
3 lessons- A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
- A1Past simple, regular verbs — Because of its past form
- A2Present perfect: introduction — Because of its past participle
Collocations
12 patterns- complained about the
- always complaining about
- complained about that
- complain about anything
- always complaining
- ever complained about
- often complains about
- is always complaining
- complains about his
- to complain about
- never complains about
- has ever complained