1.
to complain; to grumble; to find fault
To express dissatisfaction or objection about something, often repeatedly or in a nagging manner.
文句ばかり言うな。
Stop complaining all the time.
料理に文句を言われて傷ついた。
I was hurt when someone complained about my cooking.
何をやっても文句を言う人がいるから、気にしないほうがいい。
There are people who complain no matter what you do, so it's better not to worry about it.
One of the most common expressions for complaining in Japanese. 文句 by itself can mean "complaint" or "objection," and 文句を言う is the standard verb phrase.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 文句ばかり言う: to do nothing but complain
- 文句を言われる: to be complained at (passive)
- 文句があるなら言え: if you have a complaint, say it
- 文句なし: no complaints; perfect
SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:
- 愚痴を言う/愚痴をこぼす: to grumble, to vent — more about venting without expecting change
- 不満を言う: to express dissatisfaction — more formal
- 苦情を言う: to make a formal complaint — stronger, more official
- ぶつぶつ言う: to mutter complaints — emphasizes the manner (muttering)
NUANCE:
文句を言う often has a slightly negative connotation, suggesting the complaints are excessive or unreasonable. 苦情 is more neutral and implies a legitimate grievance.