Verb
/kɛˈxaɾ.se/
The verb "quejarse" means to express dissatisfaction or annoyance about something. It is commonly used in both spoken and written Spanish to indicate a state of unhappiness or discontent. While it can be used in a formal context (such as legal complaints), it is also frequently employed in everyday conversations.
"Quejarse" is a fairly common term in the Spanish language, used regularly in both oral and written contexts. However, it might appear more often in spoken contexts as people commonly express complaints or grievances in conversation.
Ella siempre se queja del clima en invierno.
She always complains about the weather in winter.
Si no te gusta el servicio, deberías quejarte.
If you don't like the service, you should complain.
No quiero quejarme, pero este trabajo es demasiado difícil.
I don't want to complain, but this job is too difficult.
"Quejarse" is often found in various idiomatic expressions, indicating dissatisfaction or complaint in different contexts. Here are some examples:
To complain loudly
No se puede quejarse en voz alta; hay que buscar soluciones.
One can't complain loudly; one must look for solutions.
Quejarse por quejas
To complain about complaints
A veces me parece que solo se quejan por quejas.
Sometimes it seems to me that they only complain about complaints.
Quejarse de lleno
The word "quejarse" descends from the late Latin word "quædiare", which means "to complain." It evolved through Old Spanish, gaining its modern form over the centuries.
This comprehensive overview of "quejarse" highlights its relevant usage across various contexts in the Spanish language.