泣(な)き言(ごと)

なきごと
noun
complaint, whining
communication
1. complaint; whining; griping
Weak, self-pitying complaints or expressions of helplessness. Carries a negative nuance of complaining without trying to solve the problem.
泣(な)き言(ごと)を言(い)うな。
Stop whining.
泣(な)き言(ごと)ばかり言(い)っていても何(なに)も変(か)わらない。
Nothing will change if you just keep complaining.
彼(かれ)は最後(さいご)まで泣(な)き言(ごと)を言(い)わずに仕事(しごと)をやり遂(と)げた。
He completed the job without complaining until the very end.

Usage: 泣(な)き言(ごと) implies weak, self-pitying complaints rather than legitimate grievances. It is most commonly used in the pattern 泣(な)き言(ごと)を言(い)う (to whine, to complain).

The word carries a negative connotation — using it implies that the speaker considers the complaints unjustified or unproductive.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 泣(な)き言(ごと): self-pitying complaint (negative nuance)
  • 愚痴(ぐち): grumbling, griping (general complaint)
  • 文句(もんく): complaint, objection (can be legitimate or not)

Related Words

Synonym: 愚痴(ぐち) (general grumbling)
Synonym: 文句(もんく) (complaint, objection)
Related: たわ言(ごと) (nonsense)
Related: 繰(く)り言(ごと) (repetitive complaints)
Compare: 弱音(よわね) (complaints)
general
Added 2026.3.8 22:57 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
15500/15899_nakigoto