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quejarse means to complain — a common term in Essential Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: November 29, 2025

📘 Essential Spanish

quejarse

verb • /[ke-HAR-se]/

to complain

Example:

Voy a quejarme en recepción.

I'm going to complain at the front desk.

🧠 What does quejarse mean?

Quejarse is a pronominal verb that means 'to complain' or to express discontent, dissatisfaction, or pain. As a pronominal verb, it always requires a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos, os, se) that matches the subject. It is commonly followed by the preposition 'de' to introduce the reason for the complaint. For example, 'quejarse de algo' means 'to complain about something', and 'quejarse de alguien' means 'to complain about someone'. It can also be followed by 'porque' and a clause.

📚 Extra examples

  • Mi vecino se queja constantemente del ruido.
    My neighbor constantly complains about the noise.
  • Los clientes se quejaron del mal servicio en el restaurante.
    The customers complained about the poor service at the restaurant.
  • No sirve de nada quejarse si no propones una solución.
    It's no use complaining if you don't propose a solution.
  • El niño se quejaba de dolor de estómago.
    The child was complaining of a stomach ache.
  • Si el producto llega dañado, me quejaré a la empresa.
    If the product arrives damaged, I will complain to the company.
  • Me quejo porque la calefacción no funciona.
    I'm complaining because the heating doesn't work.

💡 Did You Know?

There is a subtle but important difference between 'quejarse' and 'reclamar'. While 'quejarse' simply means to express dissatisfaction or complain, 'reclamar' implies demanding a right or seeking restitution. For example, you might 'quejarse' about slow service to a friend, but you would 'reclamar' to the manager to get a refund.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "quejarse"

Synonyms: lamentarse, protestar, reclamar, manifestar descontento, gemir
Opposites: agradecer, elogiar, alabar, conformarse, aceptar

🔍 See more essential spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'to complain' in Spanish?
The most common and direct way to say 'to complain' in Spanish is using the verb 'quejarse'.
How do you pronounce 'quejarse' in Spanish?
The pronunciation is 'keh-HAR-seh'. The 'j' has a strong 'h' sound, similar to the 'h' in 'hello'.
How do you use 'quejarse' in a sentence?
As a pronominal verb, you must include a reflexive pronoun before the conjugated verb (e.g., 'yo me quejo'). To state the reason for the complaint, use the preposition 'de'. For example: 'Ella se queja del frío' (She complains about the cold).
What is the English translation of 'quejarse'?
The primary English translation of 'quejarse' is 'to complain'. It can also mean 'to groan' or 'to moan' when referring to physical pain.
Does 'quejarse' change for gender or number?
As a verb, 'quejarse' is conjugated to match the subject in person and number (e.g., 'él se queja', 'ellos se quejan'). It does not change for gender.
Is 'quejarse' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'quejarse' is a very common verb used frequently in daily conversations across the entire Spanish-speaking world.
Does 'quejarse' have slang or double meanings?
While it doesn't have common slang meanings, it can mean 'to groan' or 'to moan' when expressing physical pain, not just verbal discontent. For instance, 'El herido se quejaba en el suelo' (The injured person was groaning on the ground).
Is 'quejarse' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
No, the meaning and use of 'quejarse' are highly consistent across Spain and Latin America. It is universally understood to mean 'to complain'.
How do you conjugate 'quejarse' in Spanish?
To conjugate 'quejarse', you use the appropriate reflexive pronoun and conjugate the verb 'quejar' as a regular -ar verb. For the present tense: me quejo (I complain), te quejas (you complain), se queja (he/she/you complain), nos quejamos (we complain), os quejáis (you all complain), se quejan (they/you all complain).

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