Translation guide
How to express grumbling, complaining, or muttering dissatisfaction in Japanese, from casual everyday gripes to formal complaints.
He's always grumbling about work.
My stomach is grumbling.
Expressing dissatisfaction or annoyance about a situation, person, or thing in a general, often informal way.
The most common and versatile way to say 'complain' or 'grumble'. Can be used in casual and formal contexts.
He's always grumbling about his salary.
A very common casual verb meaning to grumble or complain, often about personal matters. Frequently used among friends.
A slightly more formal expression for voicing discontent or grumbling. Often used in written or polite speech.
To grumble or mutter complaints under one's breath. Implies a quieter, less direct form of complaining.
To make a formal complaint or grumble officially, e.g., to a company or authority.
Speaking in a low, indistinct tone, often expressing annoyance or dissatisfaction quietly.
Describes muttering or grumbling in a low voice, often to oneself. Very common onomatopoeic expression.
Describing the sound a stomach makes when hungry or digesting.
A low, continuous rumbling sound from thunder, engines, or distant noise.
Onomatopoeia for a deep rumbling sound, like thunder or a heavy object rolling. Often used for thunder grumbling in the distance.
愚痴る (guchiru) is casual and often implies venting to a sympathetic listener without expecting a solution. 文句を言う (monku o iu) is more direct and can be used in both casual and formal complaints. Use 愚痴る with friends, 文句を言う when you want to be taken more seriously.
I just want to grumble a bit.
昨日、友達とカフェでずっと愚痴ってた。
Yesterday I was grumbling with my friend at a café the whole time.
The residents are grumbling about the new regulations.
彼は一人でぶつぶつぼやいていた。
He was grumbling to himself.
The customer grumbled about the service.
He left the room grumbling something under his breath.
To mutter or murmur, not necessarily complaining. Can be used for quiet grumbling or just speaking softly.
"Not again," he grumbled.
To mutter or grumble in a low, indistinct voice, often implying the speaker is hard to hear.
She grumbled discontentedly in a low voice.
My stomach grumbled during class and I was embarrassed.
Onomatopoeic expression specifically for a stomach growling loudly, often from hunger.
My stomach is grumbling loudly.
Thunder is grumbling in the distance.
To roar, rumble, or resound. Used for loud, powerful rumbling like thunder, engines, or applause.
Thunder grumbled loudly.
店長に文句を言った。
I grumbled to the store manager.
While 不平 (fuhei) means 'complaint' or 'discontent', using it alone as a verb is unnatural. Always pair it with 言う (to say) or こぼす (to spill/express).