How to say "complaint" in Japanese

• 文句もんくJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounCovers everyday complaint in the sense of grumbling or voicing dissatisfaction. The everyday word for complaining about something, whether muttered to yourself or said to others.
  そんなことは君きみが文句もんくを言いう理由りゆうにはならないよ。↗

  That doesn't give you grounds for complaining.
• 苦情くじょうJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounA complaint lodged formally with a company, office, or authority about a grievance, such as poor service or a nuisance. Less casual grumbling than 文句.
  その顧客こきゃくの苦情くじょうは微妙びみょうな問題もんだいに関かかわるものだった。↗

  The customer's complaint was about a sensitive issue.
• 申し分もうしぶんJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounRefers to a fault or point of objection; in the common pattern 申し分がない it means 'no complaints' in the sense of 'flawless, nothing to find fault with', not voiced dissatisfaction.
  その人ひとが申し分もうしぶんがないからといって、恋こいに落おちるわけではない。↗

  You don't fall in love with somebody because he's perfect.
• ぶつぶつJLPT N2approx.Common
  noun, adverb (with と)An onomatopoeic word for muttering or grumbling under one's breath, more sound than message. Use it for the act of grumbling, not for a formal or serious complaint.
  祖父そふはいつも何なんやかやぶつぶつ不平ふへいを言いっていた。↗

  My grandfather was always grumbling about something or other.
• 告発こくはつCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbSeldom the everyday word you want: it means formal accusation, indictment, or prosecution of wrongdoing. Use it only when 'complaint' refers to legally charging someone.
  彼かれは無実むじつの罪つみで告発こくはつされている。↗

  He is under a false accusation.

Choose 文句 for grumbling, 苦情 for formal grievances lodged with a business or authority, 「申し分」 for 'no complaints' = no faults, 「ぶつぶつ」 for muttering sounds, and 告発 for formal legal accusation.

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

• 文句もんくcomplaint
• 苦情くじょうcomplaint
• 申し分もうしぶんcomplaint
• ぶつぶつgrunt
• 告発こくはつindictment
• 訴えうったえlawsuit
• 不平ふへいdiscontent
• 告訴こくそaccusation
• 訴状そじょうpetition
• 抗告こうこくappeal
• 不満ふまんdissatisfaction
• 不服ふふくdissatisfaction
• 泣き言なきごとcomplaint
• いちゃもんcomplaint
• ぼやきcomplaint
• 愁訴しゅうそcomplaint (of pain, suffering, etc.)
• 怨声えんせいcomplaint
• 病訴びょうそcomplaint
• 恨み言うらみごとgrudge
• 哀訴あいそappeal
• 繰り言くりごとtedious talk
• 怨語えんごgrudge
• 不満点ふまんてんpoint of dissatisfaction
• 怨言えんげんgrudge
• 慨嘆がいたんdeploring
• 不足ふそくdissatisfaction
• 言い分いいぶんcomplaint
• 小言こごとcomplaint
• クレーム(general) complaint