French Conversation · Level 133
30 words
French word
grogner
Pronunciation
IPA/gʁoɲe/
Meaning
- verbgrumble
Example
Ma collègue grogne souvent à cause de la charge de travail.
My colleague often grumbles about the workload.
More examples
Elle grogne de mécontentement quand le service est lent.
She grumbles in frustration when the service is slow.
Core concept
A person releases short, low grumbles, like a muted growl, while showing displeasure.
Common phrases
grogner de mécontentement
grumble in frustration
grogner dans sa barbe
mutter into one's beard
Similar words
râler: Complain loudly about annoyances or grievances.
se plaindre: Appeal to others about problems for support or understanding.
ronchonner: Complain in a sullen, muttering way.
grommeler: Voice complaints in a soft, indistinct murmur.
Definition in French
Manifester son mécontentement de façon brève et sourde, souvent en marmonnant des remarques désapprobatrices.
Word origin
French grogner continues Old French groignier and belongs to an imitative family linked to the low sound of animals.
Usage tips
- For a person's dissatisfaction, grogner is informal and often suggests muttered annoyance, while se plaindre is the more neutral verb for complaining.
Other meanings
- mutterverb
- growlverb
Opposites
- se réjouirrejoiceverb
Related words
- grognegrumblingnoun
- grogneurgrumblernoun