Japanese word

文句

Pronunciation

Romajimonku

Meaning

  • nouncomplaint

Example

文句があれば、言ってください。mon ku ga a re ba i tte ku da sa i

If you have a complaint, please tell me.

Illustration for 文句 (complaint)

More examples

弟は料理の味に文句を言いました。otōto wa ryō ri no aji ni mon ku o i i ma shi ta

My younger brother complained about the taste of the food.

Core concept

Describes an expressed feeling that something is unsatisfactory, unfair, or unacceptable.

Common phrases

  • 文句を言うmon ku o yū

    complain

  • 文句があるmon ku ga a ru

    have a complaint

  • 文句をつけるmon ku o tsu ke ru

    make a complaint

Similar words

不満fuman: A feeling that something is unsatisfactory or unfair.
苦情kujō: A formal complaint about a problem with a person, service, or product.
愚痴guchi: A personal complaint expressed repeatedly about an unpleasant situation.

Definition in Japanese

不満や納得できない点を言葉にして述べること。fu man ya nat toku de ki na i ten o koto ba ni shi te no be ru ko to

Word origin

文句 (monku) is formed from 文 (mon, "writing") and 句 (ku, "phrase"), referring to words that state dissatisfaction or an objection.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 文句 (monku) can also mean the wording of a sentence or slogan, so context distinguishes that sense from a complaint.

Other meanings

  • grumblingnoun
  • objectionnoun

Word lists with this word