How to Say "complain" in Spanish
The Spanish word for “complain” is “llorar” — B2 level.
English → SpanishB2
verbB2informal
to express dissatisfaction
Examples
No llores tanto por el trabajo; a todos nos pasa.
Don't complain so much about work; it happens to all of us.
¿Sigues llorando por el examen que reprobaste hace un mes?
Are you still whining about the test you failed a month ago?
Lloró la pérdida de su oportunidad de oro.
He lamented the loss of his golden opportunity.
Literal vs. Figurative
When used in this sense, 'llorar' means to express grief or difficulty verbally, not necessarily with tears. Context will tell you if someone is actually weeping or just complaining.
Using 'llorar' with 'de'
Mistake: “Lloró de que no tiene dinero.”
Correction: Lloró porque no tiene dinero. (or better: Se quejó de que no tiene dinero.)
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