苦情 — meaning in English: A complaint

kujō · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for complaint

ブランチ

buranchi

政治家

seijika

苦情

kujō

街

machi

タンパク質

tanpakushitsu

Skip this question

🎓

Learn Japanese for free

Quizzes, examples, audio & daily challenges. No password needed — just your email.

Start learning →

Already have an account? Log in

formal common

Usage

Native speakers typically use the word 苦情 (kujō) in formal settings, such as when lodging a complaint at a customer service desk or during a business meeting. For instance, if a customer is dissatisfied with a product or service, they might express their 苦情 to a representative, seeking resolution or compensation.

Synonyms & nuances

While 苦情 (kujō) specifically refers to a formal complaint, the word 不満 (fuman) means dissatisfaction, which can be less formal and might not always lead to an official complaint. You would choose 苦情 when addressing a serious issue that requires a structured response.

Culture

The word 苦情 (kujō) reflects a significant aspect of Japanese culture, where harmony and social order are highly valued. Historically, the ability to voice a 苦情 was often seen as a challenge to group harmony, leading to a cultural evolution where expressing dissatisfaction has become more accepted in the name of improvement. Interestingly, the kanji characters used in 苦情 convey the concepts of 'suffering' and 'situation', highlighting the emotional weight behind expressing a complaint.

FAQ

Q.What does 苦情 mean in English?

苦情 (kujō) translates to 'a complaint' in English, referring to dissatisfaction expressed formally, often in a business or service context.

Q.How do I use 苦情 in a sentence?

You can say, '私はサービスに対して苦情を申し立てました' (Watashi wa sābisu ni taishite kujō o mōshitate mashita), meaning 'I made a complaint about the service.'

Q.Are there any common mistakes when using 苦情?

A common mistake is to confuse 苦情 (kujō) with 不満 (fuman). Remember that 苦情 implies a formal complaint, while 不満 can simply express general dissatisfaction.

Learn japanese with Maspeak →

Japanese 2000