Meaning of 抱怨
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to complain
- to grumble
- to harbor a complaint
- to feel dissatisfied
How to use 抱怨
抱怨 is a common everyday verb for grumbling about something, often followed directly by the thing or with 说 to introduce what was said. It usually describes repeated or ongoing complaining rather than a formal complaint. Example: 他总是抱怨工作太累。(Tā zǒngshì bàoyuàn gōngzuò tài lèi.) He always complains that work is too tiring.
抱 (bào) means to hold in your arms, and 怨 (yuàn) means resentment. When you 抱怨, you are holding on to your resentment and letting it out as complaints.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse 抱怨 with 抱歉 (bàoqiàn, to be sorry) because both start with 抱. Also note both syllables are fourth tone, so do not say bàoyuán.
抱怨 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
抱 bào · to hold · 8 strokes
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怨 yuàn · to blame · 9 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 抱怨.
| 拥抱 | yōngbào | to embrace; to hug |
| 抱歉 | bàoqiàn | to be sorry; to feel apologetic |
| 恩怨 | ēnyuàn | gratitude and grudges; resentment |
| 怀抱 | huáibào | to hug; to cherish |
| 怨恨 | yuànhèn | to resent; to harbor a grudge against |
| 埋怨 | mányuàn | to complain; to grumble (about) |
| 抱负 | bàofù | aspiration; ambition |
| 怨言 | yuànyán | complaint |
| 怨气 | yuànqì | grievance; resentment |
| 抱抱 | bàobào | to hug; to give a cuddle |
| 自怨自艾 | zìyuànzìyì | to be full of remorse; to repent and redress one's errors |
| 抱头 | bàotóu | to put one's hands behind one's head, fingers interlaced; to hold one's head in one's hand |
Questions about 抱怨
What does 抱怨 mean?
抱怨 (bàoyuàn) means "to complain; to grumble" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 抱怨?
抱怨 is made of 2 characters: 抱 (8 strokes), 怨 (9 strokes). That is 17 strokes in total.
Is 抱怨 an HSK word?
Yes. 抱怨 is on the HSK 5 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 抱怨 and 埋怨?
Both mean to complain or grumble. 埋怨 (mányuàn) more often means blaming a specific person for something, as in 别埋怨他 (don't blame him), while 抱怨 is broader and can be about anything, like the weather or work.
Can 抱怨 be used as a noun?
Yes, it can work as a noun meaning complaints, as in 他的抱怨很多 (he has a lot of complaints). For a formal complaint to a company or official, Chinese usually uses 投诉 (tóusù) instead.