noun
resentful song; song of resentment
A song with lyrics expressing resentment, typically set to a sorrowful tune. Often used in the context of enka or traditional Japanese music.
彼女の恨み節を聞くと、胸が締め付けられる。
Listening to her song of resentment makes my heart ache.
noun
resentful complaint; grievance
A complaint filled with resentment, often delivered in a whining or bitter tone. Can be used figuratively to describe someone's speech.
会議中、彼の恨み節が止まらなかった。
During the meeting, his resentful complaints wouldn't stop.
恨み言 is a more general term for resentful words or complaints, while 恨み節 specifically evokes a song-like or melodramatic quality.
Compound of 恨み (resentment) and 節 (tune, melody). The term originally referred to a type of song, and later extended to mean a resentful complaint delivered in a song-like manner.