How to say "complain" in Japanese

Choosing the right word

文句をつけるもんくをつける
expression, ichidan verbCovers complaining as fault-finding: taking exception to a rule, a decision, or someone's behavior and saying so. It suggests lodging an objection rather than merely grumbling.
我々われわれの新あたらしい計画けいかくには誰だれも文句もんくを付つけられない。↗
No one can find fault with our new plan.
不足を言うふそくをいう
expression, godan verbVoices dissatisfaction by saying something falls short — that what one gets is not enough or not as good as hoped. A less common way to render plain 'complain'.
文句を言うもんくをいう
expression, godan verbThe plain, general-purpose expression: to grumble or voice complaints out loud about something. Covers most everyday 'complain' situations, from muttering about the weather to objecting to poor service.
クレームを出すクレームをだす
expression, godan verbUsed for lodging a complaint with a shop, company, or service provider — the consumer sense of 'complain', not casual grumbling about everyday annoyances.
ブーたれる
ichidan verb, intransitive verbColloquial: to grumble or gripe with a sulky, whiny tone. Normally written in kana alone; it suits casual speech and is out of place in neutral or formal prose.

To grumble in everyday speech, use 「文句を言う」; 「文句をつける」 stresses fault-finding or lodging an objection; 「不足を言う」 voices dissatisfaction at something falling short; 「クレームを出す」 is for filing a complaint with a business; 「ブーたれる」 is colloquial griping.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese equivalents

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