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March 24, 2026
抱怨bàoyuàn(bao4yuan4)
抱怨 (bào yuàn) means to express dissatisfaction or grievances about a situation or person. It is commonly used in everyday conversation when someone feels wronged or displeased, emphasizing a sense of frustration or annoyance.
Strokes17Frequency#2215DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing dissatisfaction openly can sometimes be seen as negative or inappropriate, especially in formal settings. However, it is common in family and close-knit relationships to express grievances as a way of seeking support.
Memory Tip
Imagine holding a heavy '抱' (bào) of complaints close to your chest, feeling the weight of your '怨' (yuàn) like a burden. The pronunciation 'bào' sounds like 'bow'—you bow down under the weight of your complaints.
Meanings of 抱怨
bàoyuàn(bao4yuan4)
1to complain
2to grumble
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About 抱怨
抱怨Simplified
17Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#2215Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 抱怨
Podcast: 抱怨
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AI Study Notes for 抱怨
Quick Contrast
抱怨 (bàoyuàn) vs 诉苦 (sùkǔ) — use 抱怨 for general complaints, while 诉苦 emphasizes sharing suffering or hardship.
Usage Notes
Learners often mistake 抱怨 for simply stating a fact, whereas it specifically conveys dissatisfaction. It is generally used in informal contexts and can be paired with words like '工作' (work) or '生活' (life) to specify the source of complaints. Be mindful of using the correct tone: the first syllable is pronounced with a falling tone (4th tone).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 抱怨 connects well with other verbs expressing emotions or states, such as '满意' (satisfied) and '不满' (dissatisfied). Focus on practicing it in sentences to express feelings about various topics.
Common Mistakes
Learners often say '我抱怨的工作' which incorrectly mixes structures. The correct phrase is '我对工作抱怨' (I complain about work). Additionally, some might use a neutral tone instead of the required falling tone for '抱怨'.
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Pronunciation of 抱怨
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抱怨 (bào yuàn) means to express dissatisfaction or grievances about a situation or person. It is commonly used in everyday conversation when someone feels wronged or displeased, emphasizing a sense of frustration or annoyance.
When to use 抱怨
Learners often mistake 抱怨 for simply stating a fact, whereas it specifically conveys dissatisfaction. It is generally used in informal contexts and can be paired with words like '工作' (work) or '生活' (life) to specify the source of complaints. Be mindful of using the correct tone: the first syllable is pronounced with a falling tone (4th tone).
抱怨 or something close to it
抱怨 (bàoyuàn) vs 诉苦 (sùkǔ) — use 抱怨 for general complaints, while 诉苦 emphasizes sharing suffering or hardship.
What learners get wrong
Learners often say '我抱怨的工作' which incorrectly mixes structures. The correct phrase is '我对工作抱怨' (I complain about work). Additionally, some might use a neutral tone instead of the required falling tone for '抱怨'.
Write 抱怨
抱
怨
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Grammar Patterns of 抱怨
抱怨 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
