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# complain

verb (complain, complains, complained, complaining)

«complain» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To complain is to say that you are not happy or not satisfied about something. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/complain/#m1)
2. To complain to someone in charge is to tell them formally about a problem so they fix it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/complain/#m2)
3. To complain of a pain or illness is to say you have it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/complain/#m3)
4. To complain of someone is to tell someone in charge that they did something wrong. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/complain/#m4)

### In the lessons

In everyday life and manners lessons, complaining politely and calmly helps fix problems (returning a broken toy to a shop), but complaining all the time can make you seem negative; it's good to suggest a solution. In writing lessons, pupils sometimes write a letter of complaint. In stories, a character who always complains is often grumpy or spoiled. Phrases: «complain about», «complain to», «complain of», «nothing to complain about», «make a complaint».

### Examples

- He complained about the cold dinner. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/complain/#x1)
- Stop complaining and help me carry this. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/complain/#x2)
- We complained to the shop about the broken toy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/complain/#x3)
- Grandma complained of a sore knee. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/complain/#x4)
- I can't complain; it was a great day. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/complain/#x5)
- The neighbours complained about the loud music. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/complain/#x6)
- If someone is unkind, you can complain to a teacher. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/complain/#x7)
- She never complains, even when she's tired. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/complain/#x8)
- “I complain of Nibs,” he cried promptly. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/complain/#x9)

### Note

Regular verb: complained. Noun: complaint. You «complain about» a thing, «complain to» a person, «complain of» a pain. Not «complain on».

## In Jewish tradition

To pour out one's trouble and grief before God, not merely to grumble.

**Interpretation.** The tradition sees Job and the Psalms as showing that honest complaint to God is allowed, as a form of prayer from a faithful heart.

### Examples

- Wherefore doth a living man complain, a strong man because of his sins? (Writings LAM.3.39, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/complain/#x1)
- Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I complain, and moan; and He hath heard my voice. (Writings PSA.55.18, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/complain/#x2)
- Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. (Writings JOB.7.11, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/complain/#x3)

### Note

Regular verb: complained. Noun: complaint. You «complain about» a thing, «complain to» a person, «complain of» a pain. Not «complain on».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «complain» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/complain/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«complain» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/complain.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «complain» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/complain/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«complain» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/complain.html) on Mova free.