ぼやく
ぼやく
verb (godan, intransitive)
to complain; to grumble; to mutter
1.
to complain; to grumble; to mutter
To express dissatisfaction or displeasure in a quiet, often mumbling manner. More subdued than formal complaints.
給料が安いとぼやいていた。
He was grumbling that his salary is low.
疲れたとぼやきながら仕事を続けた。
I continued working while complaining that I was tired.
彼女はいつも天気のことでぼやいている。
She's always grumbling about the weather.
TRANSITIVITY:
Intransitive verb (自動詞). No pair verb.
USAGE:
ぼやく is often used for everyday, minor complaints expressed in a muttering or grumbling tone. It's less formal than 文句を言う and implies a certain resignation or lack of expectation that the complaint will be addressed.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 〜とぼやく (to grumble that ~)
- 〜についてぼやく (to grumble about ~)
- ぼやきながら (while grumbling)
REGISTER:
Casual to neutral. Often used in everyday conversation.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 愚痴をこぼす - to complain/vent (more about emotional release)
- 文句を言う - to complain (more direct, stronger)
- つぶやく - to mutter (neutral, not necessarily complaining)