quejas
“quejas” means “complaints” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
complaints
Also: grievances, grumbles
📝 In Action
El buzón de quejas está en la entrada.
A2The complaints box is at the entrance.
Recibimos muchas quejas sobre el ruido.
B1We received many complaints about the noise.
¿Tienes alguna queja específica sobre la comida?
A2Do you have any specific complaint (singular) about the food?
you complain
Also: you are complaining
📝 In Action
¿Por qué te quejas tanto del frío?
B1Why do you complain so much about the cold?
Si no te quejas, nadie sabrá que hay un problema.
B2If you don't complain, nobody will know there's a problem.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: quejas
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'quejas' as the familiar verb form?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the Vulgar Latin root *quassiare*, meaning 'to shake' or 'to shatter.' Over time, this evolved into the idea of shaking out one's troubles or dissatisfaction, leading to the modern meaning of 'complaint.'
First recorded: Around the 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'quejas' always used in the negative sense?
Yes, 'quejas' always refers to expressions of dissatisfaction, criticism, or unhappiness. You wouldn't use it to describe positive feedback.
How is the noun 'queja' different from the verb form 'quejas'?
The noun 'queja' (singular) or 'quejas' (plural) is a thing—the actual complaint. The verb form 'quejas' is an action, meaning 'you complain' (when addressing a friend).