不平(ふへい)を言(い)う

ふへいをいう
expression
to complain; to express dissatisfaction
1. to complain; to express dissatisfaction; to grumble
To voice one's displeasure or discontent about a situation, treatment, or condition.
不平(ふへい)を言(い)わずに働(はたら)く。
To work without complaining.
給料(きゅうりょう)が安(やす)いと不平(ふへい)を言(い)う社員(しゃいん)が多(おお)い。
There are many employees who complain that their salary is low.
不平(ふへい)を言(い)うだけでは何(なに)も変(か)わらないので、具体的(ぐたいてき)な提案(ていあん)をしてほしい。
Nothing will change just by complaining, so I'd like you to make specific suggestions.

A combination of 不平(ふへい) (dissatisfaction, discontent) and 言(い)う (to say). More formal and direct than 愚痴(ぐち)を言(い)う. While 愚痴(ぐち) implies venting about things that cannot be changed, 不平(ふへい) implies genuine grievances directed at something specific.

Often paired with 不満(ふまん) in the compound 不平(ふへい)不満(ふまん) (complaints and dissatisfaction).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 不平(ふへい)を言(い)う: to complain
  • 不平(ふへい)を漏(も)らす: to let slip a complaint
  • 不平(ふへい)不満(ふまん): complaints and dissatisfaction
  • 不平(ふへい)不満(ふまん)を抱(かか)える: to harbor complaints and dissatisfaction

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 愚痴(ぐち)を言(い)う: to grumble; to gripe — more about venting, often about unchangeable things
  • 文句(もんく)を言(い)う: to complain; to object — the most common and versatile complaint expression
  • 苦情(くじょう)を言(い)う: to make a complaint — more formal, often directed at a business or service

Related Words

Related: 愚痴(ぐち)を言(い)う (informal)
general
Added 2026.4.25 22:36
25000/25458_fuheiwoiu