Japanese word

ぼやく

Pronunciation

Romajiboyaku

Meaning

  • verbgrumble

Example

弟は宿題が多いとぼやきます。otōto wa shuku dai ga ō i to bo ya ki ma su

My younger brother grumbles that there is too much homework.

Illustration for ぼやく (grumble)

More examples

彼は疲れた様子で、帰りの電車の中でぼやきました。kare wa tsuka re ta yō su de kae ri no den sha no naka de bo ya ki ma shi ta

Looking tired, he grumbled on the train home.

Core concept

Expresses dissatisfaction in a restrained, often low-voiced way rather than making a forceful complaint.

Common phrases

  • 待遇についてぼやくtai gū ni tsu i te bo ya ku

    complain about one's treatment

  • 忙しさをぼやくisoga shi sa o bo ya ku

    grumble about being busy

  • 高いとぼやくtaka i to bo ya ku

    grumble that it is expensive

Similar words

愚痴るguchiru: To talk repeatedly about personal troubles or difficulties, usually without seeking a solution.
こぼすkobosu: To let a complaint slip out casually rather than make a formal complaint.
訴えるuttaeru: To report a problem or dissatisfaction to a person or group that can respond.

Definition in Japanese

不平や不満を、ぶつぶつと言う。fu hei ya fu man o bu tsu bu tsu to yū

Word origin

ぼやく (boyaku) is a native Japanese verb with the related noun ぼやき (boyaki), meaning "a grumble or complaint"; its older origin is not certain.

Usage tips

  • A speaker can ぼやく (boyaku) about a situation without directing the words at the person responsible, making the verb useful for describing indirect dissatisfaction.

Other meanings

  • complainverb

Related words

  • ぼやきboyakigrumblingnoun

Word lists with this word