Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing a complaint depends heavily on context: whether it's a formal grievance, a casual grumble, a medical symptom, or a legal filing. The most common everyday word is 文句, but polite complaints use 苦情, and physical complaints use 症状 or 訴え.
Expressing dissatisfaction about something in everyday conversation.
The most common word for a complaint or grumble. Often used in the phrase 文句を言う (to complain). Can sound a bit direct.
彼はいつも文句ばかり言っている。
He's always complaining.
文句があるなら直接言ってください。
If you have a complaint, please tell me directly.
Dissatisfaction or discontent. More about a feeling than a verbal complaint. Often used with を言う or がたまる.
その決定に不満を感じている。
I feel dissatisfied with that decision.
不満がたまっている。
My dissatisfaction is building up.
Grumbling or complaining to vent, often without expecting a solution. Used in 愚痴をこぼす.
たまには愚痴を聞いてほしい。
I want you to listen to my complaints sometimes.
Making an official complaint, such as to customer service or a public office.
A formal complaint or grievance. Used in business and official contexts. 苦情を言う/申し立てる.
お客様から苦情が来た。
We received a complaint from a customer.
苦情はこちらの窓口までお願いします。
Please direct complaints to this counter.
Loanword from English 'claim', used specifically for customer complaints. Very common in business.
Describing a physical ailment or symptom to a doctor.
Symptom or medical complaint. Used when describing what's wrong physically.
どのような症状がありますか？
What kind of symptoms do you have?
A patient's complaint or account of symptoms. Often used in medical records.
Filing a formal legal complaint or charge.
A criminal complaint or accusation. Filing a charge with the police or prosecutor.
彼を詐欺で告訴した。
I filed a criminal complaint against him for fraud.
A written complaint or petition submitted to a court (civil lawsuit).
文句 is a general, everyday complaint. 苦情 is a formal grievance, often to an organization. クレーム is specifically a customer complaint in a business context. Using 文句 in a formal setting can sound rude.
友達に文句を言うのは簡単だが、会社に苦情を言うのは勇気がいる。
It's easy to complain to a friend, but it takes courage to file a formal complaint with a company.
文句 implies dissatisfaction, not a symptom or legal charge. For medical issues, use 症状 or 訴え. For legal complaints, use 告訴 or 訴状.
クレーム対応に追われている。
I'm swamped with handling complaints.
患者の訴えをよく聞くことが大切だ。
It's important to listen carefully to the patient's complaints.
I submitted the complaint to the court.