Translation guide
This entry covers ways to express complaining about small, unimportant things in Japanese. It includes common verbs, phrases, and patterns that convey grumbling, nitpicking, or making a fuss over minor issues.
To express that someone is complaining or grumbling about trivial matters in everyday conversation.
A natural, neutral way to say 'complain about small things'. 細かい (こまかい) means 'small, trivial', 文句 (もんく) means 'complaint', and 言う (いう) is 'to say'.
彼はいつも細かいことに文句を言っている。
He's always complaining about trifles.
A casual verb meaning 'to grumble' or 'to complain', often about minor things. It implies a somewhat whiny or venting tone.
また愚痴ってるの？
Are you complaining again?
A slightly more formal or written expression. つまらない means 'trivial' or 'boring', 不平 (ふへい) means 'complaint' or 'dissatisfaction'.
彼女はつまらないことで不平を言うのが好きだ。
She likes to complain about trifles.
To describe someone who excessively criticizes or points out small flaws.
An idiomatic expression meaning 'to nitpick' or 'to split hairs'. Literally 'to poke at the corners of a tiered food box', it vividly describes focusing on trivial details.
彼は重箱の隅をつつくようなことばかり言う。
He only says things that nitpick at trivial details.
Means 'to find fault with someone's words' or 'to pick on minor mistakes'. Often used when someone seizes on a slip of the tongue or a small error to criticize.
彼はすぐ人の揚げ足を取る。
He's quick to pick on people's minor mistakes.
An adjective meaning 'small' or 'detailed', but when used to describe a person, it can mean 'nitpicky' or 'fussy about details'. Often used in the phrase 細かい人 (こまかいひと).
To express that someone is complaining loudly or excessively about something insignificant.
Means 'to make a big fuss' or 'to exaggerate a complaint'. 大げさ (おおげさ) means 'exaggerated', 騒ぐ (さわぐ) means 'to make noise' or 'to fuss'.
そんな小さなことで大げさに騒がないで。
Don't make such a fuss over a trifle.
Literally 'to say crying words', meaning 'to whine' or 'to complain tearfully'. Often used for complaints that seem childish or unwarranted.
彼はいつも泣き言を言っている。
He's always whining about something.
文句を言う (もんくをいう) is a general, neutral term for complaining. 愚痴る (ぐちる) is more casual and implies grumbling or venting, often about personal frustrations. Use 文句を言う in formal contexts, and 愚痴る with friends.
会議で文句を言った。
I complained at the meeting.
友達に愚痴った。
I grumbled to my friend.
While 些細なこと (ささいなこと) means 'trifles', directly translating 'complain about trifles' as 些細なことに文句を言う is grammatically correct but can sound stiff. More natural alternatives include 細かいことに文句を言う or idiomatic expressions like 重箱の隅をつつく.
些細なことに文句を言うのはやめなさい。
Stop complaining about trifles. (literal, somewhat stiff)
That person is nitpicky, so be careful.