When you hear people make a 牢骚 (láosāo), they are complaining or grumbling about something. It's usually about something they're unhappy with but might not be able to change easily. Think of it as a low, continuous complaint, like a murmur of discontent.
For example, if your friend keeps saying the food is too cold, that's a 牢骚. It's a common word to describe someone expressing dissatisfaction, often repeatedly, but not always with the intention of solving the problem.
When you feel unhappy about something and keep talking about it, that's a 牢骚 (láosāo).
It’s like when you complain about the weather or how much homework you have.
People often express 牢骚 when they are dissatisfied with a situation but don't necessarily take action to change it.
So, a 牢骚 is basically a complaint, often repeated. You might hear someone say “发牢骚” (fā láosāo), which means to grumble or complain.
When you hear people grumbling or complaining in Chinese, the word they're likely using is 牢骚 (láosāo). This noun directly translates to 'grumble' or 'complaint'.
It often refers to dissatisfaction, discontent, or resentment that someone expresses verbally, but without a specific target or constructive purpose.
Think of it as airing grievances, often about general situations, unfairness, or things that bother someone over time. It's not typically about a one-off issue, but rather a more ongoing feeling of unhappiness.
You'll often hear it in phrases like 发牢骚 (fā láosāo), meaning 'to grumble' or 'to complain', which captures the act of expressing these grievances.
§ What Does 牢骚 (láosāo) Mean?
Alright, let's get straight to it. Today we're tackling 牢骚 (láosāo). Forget those long, academic explanations. In plain English, 牢骚 means 'grumble' or 'complaint.' It's that feeling, that expression, when someone is unhappy or dissatisfied with something and they vocalize it, often in a somewhat resentful or nagging way.
- DEFINITION
- Grumble; complaint.
Think of it like this: when your friend keeps talking about how much they hate their new boss, or when your coworker won't stop complaining about the workload, that's 牢骚. It's often about personal dissatisfaction rather than a formal, official complaint. It's more of a murmur of discontent.
§ When Do People Use 牢骚 (láosāo)?
You'll hear 牢骚 in everyday conversations, especially when people are feeling a bit down or frustrated. It's a very common word, so pay attention. Here are some typical situations where you'd encounter it:
- About work: Long hours, unfair treatment, boring tasks.
- About life: Financial stress, relationship problems, general misfortune.
- About society: Government policies, public services, social issues.
- About personal feelings: Feeling misunderstood, feeling neglected, general unhappiness.
It's generally used when someone is expressing their displeasure to someone they trust, or perhaps just venting into the void. It's not usually a formal protest, but rather a more casual, ongoing expression of unhappiness.
Let's look at some examples to make this crystal clear. Pay attention to how 牢骚 is used in context.
他总是喜欢发牢骚。
Translation hint: He always likes to *express grumbles/complaints*.
别再抱怨了，你的牢骚解决不了问题。
Translation hint: Stop complaining, your *grumbles/complaints* won't solve the problem.
老板对员工的牢骚充耳不闻。
Translation hint: The boss turned a deaf ear to the employees' *grumbles/complaints*.
Notice how it often appears with verbs like 发 (fā, to emit/express) or 抱怨 (bàoyuàn, to complain). You can also hear things like 满腹牢骚 (mǎnfù láosāo), which literally means 'a belly full of grumbles,' implying someone is full of complaints and very discontent. That's a great phrase to add to your vocabulary if you want to sound more natural.
So, in short, when you hear 牢骚, think 'someone is unhappy and letting it be known.' It's a feeling, a state of being, and an action all rolled into one useful word. Master it, and you'll understand a lot more about people's everyday frustrations in Chinese.
Alright, so you know what 牢骚 (láosāo) means – grumble, complaint. Now let’s look at where you’ll actually hear or use this word in real life. This isn't just about textbooks; it’s about understanding the context.
§ At Work: Office Complaints
The workplace is a prime spot for 牢骚. Think about it – long hours, difficult bosses, annoying colleagues, low pay. All perfect fodder for a good grumble. You'll often hear people say they want to 发牢骚 (fā láosāo), which means to express a complaint or grumble.
工作压力太大，我忍不住要发牢骚。
Translation hint: Work pressure too great, I can't help but want to grumble.
You might also hear about someone's 牢骚特别多 (láosāo tèbié duō), meaning they have a lot of complaints. This isn't usually a compliment.
他总是对公司有各种牢骚。
Translation hint: He always has all sorts of complaints about the company.
§ At School: Student Grievances
Students, just like workers, have plenty to complain about. Tough exams, boring lectures, strict teachers, heavy homework – you get the idea. When students get together and vent, they are 发牢骚.
同学们都在发牢骚说考试太难了。
Translation hint: The classmates are all grumbling that the exam was too difficult.
Sometimes, a school might even try to address student 牢骚, showing they are listening to feedback, even if it's negative.
学校应该听取学生的牢骚，改进教学。
Translation hint: The school should listen to students' complaints and improve teaching.
§ In the News and Public Discourse: Societal Grievances
Beyond personal grumbles, 牢骚 can also refer to broader societal complaints or dissatisfactions. News reports or social commentators might discuss the "牢骚" of the public regarding certain policies, economic conditions, or social issues.
民众对物价上涨的牢骚越来越多。
Translation hint: The public's complaints about rising prices are increasing.
You might see phrases like 消除牢骚 (xiāochú láosāo), meaning to eliminate complaints, or 听取民众牢骚 (tīngqǔ mínzhòng láosāo), meaning to listen to the public's complaints.
- Common phrases with 牢骚
- 发牢骚 (fā láosāo): to grumble, to complain
- 满腹牢骚 (mǎnfù láosāo): full of complaints (literally, 'belly full of complaints')
- 听牢骚 (tīng láosāo): to listen to complaints
- 消除牢骚 (xiāochú láosāo): to eliminate complaints
§ General Use: Everyday Grumbles
Of course, 牢骚 isn't limited to these specific environments. You can use it anytime someone is expressing discontent about something, big or small.
别再发牢骚了，我们一起想办法解决问题。
Translation hint: Stop grumbling, let's think of a way to solve the problem together.
This phrase is a direct and common way to tell someone to stop complaining and be more proactive. It's practical and you'll hear it often. Now you have a solid grasp of where and how to use 牢骚 in various contexts. Keep practicing!
§ Don't confuse 牢骚 with general complaints
Many English speakers learning Chinese use 牢骚 for any type of complaint. This isn't quite right. 牢骚 specifically refers to grumbling, complaining about one's situation, often showing dissatisfaction with things beyond one's control or things that are difficult to change. It's usually about personal grievances, not just a simple statement of dissatisfaction about a product or service.
他老是发牢骚，说工作太累。
Translation hint: He always grumbles, saying his work is too tiring.
§ Using 牢骚 as a verb directly
You can't use 牢骚 directly as a verb. It's a noun. If you want to say someone is grumbling or complaining, you need to use a verb like 发 (fā), 抱 (bào), or 带着 (dài zhe) before it. The most common one is 发牢骚 (fā láosāo).
- Wrong usage
- 他牢骚工作太累。
- Correct usage
- 他发牢骚说工作太累。
§ Overusing 牢骚 in formal contexts
While 牢骚 isn't informal in a rude way, it's generally used in more personal or casual contexts. In very formal settings or official documents, you might opt for more neutral terms like 抱怨 (bàoyuàn), which means 'to complain', or 不满 (bùmǎn), meaning 'dissatisfaction', which are broader and can be used in more situations.
会议上，经理表达了对项目进度的不满。
Translation hint: At the meeting, the manager expressed dissatisfaction with the project progress.
§ Not understanding the connotation of being 'negative'
When someone is 发牢骚, it often carries a slightly negative connotation, implying that the person is perhaps dwelling on their problems without actively seeking solutions, or is generally pessimistic. It's not just a factual statement of a problem, but an expression of emotional burden. If you simply want to state a problem without this emotional undertone, other words might be better.
抱怨 (bàoyuàn): A more neutral term for complaining, can be about specific issues.
诉苦 (sùkǔ): To pour out one's grievances, often seeking sympathy.
Each of these words has slightly different nuances, and choosing the right one depends on the specific situation and the emotional tone you want to convey.
§ Understanding 牢骚 (láosāo)
Alright, let's talk about 牢骚 (láosāo). This word is all about grumbling and complaining. Think of it as expressing dissatisfaction, often in a somewhat murmuring or nagging way. It’s a common word you’ll hear, so it’s good to get a handle on it.
- DEFINITION
- Grumble; complaint.
§ Similar Words and When to Use 牢骚
Chinese has a few words for complaining, and it’s important to know the nuances. Let’s break down 牢骚 and its buddies.
抱怨 (bàoyuàn) – General Complaint
This is the most general word for 'to complain' or 'complaint.' It can be about anything from minor annoyances to serious issues. It’s a very common and neutral term.
她总是抱怨天气太冷。
(She always complains the weather is too cold.)
我不想再听你的抱怨了。
(I don't want to hear your complaints anymore.)
牢骚 (láosāo) – Grumbling, Muttering Complaints
Now, 牢骚 is more specific. It often implies a lower-level, often repeated, and perhaps less direct form of complaint. It’s like grumbling or muttering about something. It can be a noun (a grumble/complaint) or used with verbs like 发 (fā – to emit/express) or 抱 (bào – to hold/have) to mean 'to grumble.'
他老是发牢骚，我觉得很烦。
(He's always grumbling, I find it annoying.)
别再抱牢骚了，想办法解决问题。
(Stop grumbling, find a way to solve the problem.)
The key difference here is the *manner* of complaining. 抱怨 can be a straightforward statement of unhappiness. 牢骚 implies more of a drawn-out, often passive, and sometimes repetitive expression of discontent. You wouldn't typically say '发抱怨' (fā bàoyuàn) in the same way you say '发牢骚' (fā láosāo).
投诉 (tóusù) – Formal Complaint
This word is for making a formal complaint, like to a company, a government department, or a manager. It’s about seeking redress or official action.
我要向经理投诉服务态度。
(I want to complain to the manager about the service attitude.)
埋怨 (mányuàn) – Blame, Reproach
埋怨 means to complain by blaming someone or something. It carries a stronger sense of reproach or resentment than 抱怨 or 牢骚. You're not just unhappy; you're unhappy *at* someone or something.
她总是埋怨别人。
(She always blames others / complains about others.)
§ When to Use 牢骚
Use 牢骚 when you want to describe someone who is:
- Grumbling or murmuring about something.
- Expressing dissatisfaction in a less direct or less formal way.
- Repeatedly voicing minor complaints.
- Just letting off steam rather than seeking a solution.
Think of it as the sound of discontent. If someone is just saying 'ugh' repeatedly about their workload, that's 牢骚. If they are formally writing an email to HR, that's 投诉. If they are just generally unhappy about the situation, that's 抱怨. If they are blaming you for the situation, that's 埋怨.
حقيقة ممتعة
While '牢骚' specifically refers to grumbling or complaining, the character '骚' can also be used in other contexts. For instance, '风骚' (fēngsāo) can describe someone who is charmingly flirtatious or a literary style that is elegant and unrestrained, highlighting the character's versatility in expressing different kinds of 'disturbance' or 'vibrancy'.
قواعد يجب معرفتها
Expressing dissatisfaction: Use 牢骚 with '发' (fā) to mean 'to grumble' or 'to complain'.
他总是发牢骚。(Tā zǒng shì fā láosāo.) He is always grumbling.
Describing someone who grumbles a lot: Use '牢骚满腹' (láosāo mǎnfù) meaning 'full of complaints'.
那个人牢骚满腹，很不开心。(Nà ge rén láosāo mǎnfù, hěn bù kāixīn.) That person is full of complaints, very unhappy.
Using 牢骚 as a direct object: It can directly follow verbs like '有' (yǒu - to have) or '说' (shuō - to say).
你有什么牢骚吗？(Nǐ yǒu shénme láosāo ma?) Do you have any complaints?
Qualifying 牢骚: Use adjectives to describe the nature of the grumbling.
他发了很多无用的牢骚。(Tā fā le hěn duō wúyòng de láosāo.) He made many useless complaints.
Responding to grumbling: You might hear '别发牢骚了' (Bié fā láosāo le) meaning 'Stop grumbling'.
别发牢骚了，想想办法吧。(Bié fā láosāo le, xiǎng xiǎng bànfǎ ba.) Stop grumbling, let's think of a solution.
أمثلة حسب المستوى
他老是发牢骚。
He always grumbles.
别发牢骚了，快去工作吧。
Stop complaining, go to work.
她喜欢在背后发牢骚。
She likes to grumble behind people's backs.
我对他的牢骚感到厌烦。
I'm tired of his complaints.
他有很多牢骚要说。
He has many complaints to say.
你的牢骚解决不了问题。
Your complaints won't solve the problem.
大家都在发牢骚。
Everyone is grumbling.
别听他的牢骚，他总是这样。
Don't listen to his complaints, he's always like that.
他老是发牢骚。
He always grumbles.
别发牢骚了，我们来解决问题。
Stop complaining, let's solve the problem.
我对他的牢骚感到厌倦。
I'm tired of his complaints.
她有很多牢骚要说。
She has many complaints to air.
这些牢骚毫无意义。
These grumbles are meaningless.
他私下里发牢骚。
He grumbles privately.
老板听取了员工的牢骚。
The boss listened to the employees' complaints.
偶尔发发牢骚没关系。
It's okay to grumble occasionally.
他总是发牢骚，从来不满意。
He always grumbles, never satisfied.
别再发牢骚了，想想解决办法吧。
Stop complaining, think about solutions.
她的牢骚让我感到很沮丧。
Her complaints make me feel very frustrated.
老板听了员工的牢骚，决定改进工作环境。
The boss listened to the employees' complaints and decided to improve the working environment.
他心里有很多牢骚，但不敢说出来。
He has a lot of complaints in his heart, but dares not speak them out.
这些牢骚反映了大家的不满。
These complaints reflect everyone's dissatisfaction.
他抱怨说工作太累，总是发牢骚。
He complains that the work is too tiring, always grumbling.
不要把你的牢骚带到家里来。
Don't bring your complaints home.
他总是发牢骚，对什么都不满意。
He always grumbles, dissatisfied with everything.
别再发牢骚了，想想解决办法吧。
Stop complaining and think of solutions.
她听了一堆牢骚，感到很疲惫。
She felt exhausted after listening to a lot of complaints.
这些牢骚反映了员工对工作环境的不满。
These grumbles reflect employees' dissatisfaction with the working environment.
老板耐心听取了他们的牢骚。
The boss patiently listened to their complaints.
他的牢骚让我很不舒服。
His grumbling made me uncomfortable.
大家对新政策有很多牢骚。
Everyone has a lot of complaints about the new policy.
与其发牢骚，不如积极行动。
Instead of grumbling, it's better to take action.
他对工作有很多牢骚。
He has many complaints about his job.
别发牢骚了，想想办法解决问题。
Stop grumbling, think of a way to solve the problem.
会议室里充满了大家的牢骚。
The meeting room was filled with everyone's complaints.
他的牢骚让我感到很烦躁。
His grumbling made me feel very annoyed.
老板听取了员工的牢骚，并承诺改进。
The boss listened to the employees' complaints and promised to improve.
不要总是抱怨，多做少发牢骚。
Don't always complain, do more and grumble less.
她把所有的牢骚都写在了日记里。
She wrote all her complaints in her diary.
这些牢骚反映了大家对现状的不满。
These complaints reflect everyone's dissatisfaction with the current situation.
يُخلط عادةً مع
This is a common verb-object phrase meaning 'to grumble' or 'to complain'. It directly uses 牢骚 as the object.
An idiom meaning 'full of complaints/grumbles', indicating a person has a lot of dissatisfaction.
This is a common misspelling or mischaracterization of 抱怨. While 报 (bào) means 'to report' or 'to repay', and 怨 (yuàn) means 'resentment', the correct and common word for 'to complain' is 抱怨.
أنماط نحوية
سهل الخلط
Both 抱怨 and 牢骚 refer to expressing dissatisfaction. However, they have different grammatical functions and nuances.
抱怨 is a verb, meaning 'to complain'. It describes the act of complaining. 牢骚 is a noun, meaning 'grumble' or 'complaint'. It refers to the complaint itself, or the feeling of dissatisfaction.
他抱怨工作太累。 (Tā bàoyuàn gōngzuò tài lèi.) - He complained that the work was too tiring. (抱怨 used as a verb) 他发了一顿牢骚。 (Tā fā le yī dùn láosāo.) - He let out a string of complaints. (牢骚 used as a noun)
Both can express discontent. 牢骚 is a type of expression of discontent, while 不满 is a broader term for dissatisfaction.
不满 is an adjective or noun meaning 'dissatisfied' or 'dissatisfaction'. It describes a state of mind or a general feeling. 牢骚 specifically refers to verbal complaints or grumbles.
他对这个决定表示不满。 (Tā duì zhège juédìng biǎoshì bùmǎn.) - He expressed dissatisfaction with this decision. (不满 as a noun) 他的牢骚让人觉得很不舒服。 (Tā de láosāo ràng rén juéde hěn bú shūfú.) - His grumbling made people feel very uncomfortable. (牢骚 as a noun, specifically verbal complaints)
Both 牢骚 and 怨言 refer to words of complaint or resentment.
怨言 specifically emphasizes words of resentment or grievance, often implying injustice or unfairness. 牢骚 is a more general term for grumbling or complaining, which may or may not be due to perceived injustice.
他心中有很多怨言。 (Tā xīnzhōng yǒu hěn duō yuànyán.) - He had a lot of grievances in his heart. (怨言 implies a deeper sense of injustice) 别总是发牢骚了。 (Bié zǒng shì fā láosāo le.) - Don't always grumble. (牢骚 is a more general act of complaining)
Both can involve repetitive talking about something negative, but their focus is different.
唠叨 means 'to nag' or 'to chatter repetitively', often about trivial matters or to express mild annoyance. It focuses on the act of talking. 牢骚 focuses on the content of the complaint, which is often more substantial than trivial nagging.
她总是唠叨我没把房间收拾干净。 (Tā zǒng shì láodao wǒ méi bǎ fángjiān shōushi gānjìng.) - She always nags me about not tidying my room. (唠叨 is repetitive nagging) 他的牢骚都是关于公司政策的。 (Tā de láosāo dōu shì guānyú gōngsī zhèngcè de.) - His complaints are all about company policy. (牢骚 is about specific complaints)
A 'complaint letter' is a form of expressing dissatisfaction, which aligns with the meaning of 牢骚.
抱怨信 is a specific type of communication – a letter written to complain. 牢骚 is the general act or feeling of grumbling, which can be expressed in many ways (verbally, in writing, etc.), not just through a formal letter.
他写了一封抱怨信给经理。 (Tā xiě le yī fēng bàoyuàn xìn gěi jīnglǐ.) - He wrote a complaint letter to the manager. (抱怨信 is a specific document) 他满腹牢骚，但没说什么。 (Tā mǎnfù láosāo, dàn méi shuō shénme.) - He was full of complaints, but didn't say anything. (牢骚 can be an internal feeling, not necessarily expressed in a letter)
أنماط الجُمل
发牢骚 (fā láosāo) - to grumble; to complain
他总是发牢骚，我觉得很烦。 (Tā zǒng shì fā láosāo, wǒ juédé hěn fán.) - He's always grumbling, and I find it very annoying.
一肚子牢骚 (yī dùzi láosāo) - full of complaints
他对工作有很多一肚子牢骚。 (Tā duì gōngzuò yǒu hěnduō yī dùzi láosāo.) - He has a belly full of complaints about his job.
满腹牢骚 (mǎnfù láosāo) - full of grievances/complaints (similar to 一肚子牢骚, but often implies more deep-seated dissatisfaction)
他满腹牢骚，因为他觉得受到了不公平的待遇。 (Tā mǎnfù láosāo, yīnwèi tā juédé shòudàole bù gōngpíng de dàiyù.) - He is full of grievances because he feels he was treated unfairly.
牢骚满腹 (láosāo mǎnfù) - same meaning as 满腹牢骚, often used as an idiom
他一回家就开始牢骚满腹，抱怨工作太累。 (Tā yī huí jiā jiù kāishǐ láosāo mǎnfù, bàoyuàn gōngzuò tài lèi.) - As soon as he got home, he started complaining endlessly, grumbling that work was too tiring.
发泄牢骚 (fāxiè láosāo) - to vent one's grievances/complaints
他只是想找人发泄牢骚，并不是真的要解决问题。 (Tā zhǐ shì xiǎng zhǎo rén fāxiè láosāo, bìng bùshì zhēn de yào jiějué wèntí.) - He just wants to find someone to vent his complaints to, not really to solve the problem.
牢骚话 (láosāo huà) - complaining remarks/words
她听了一堆牢骚话，心情也变得不好了。 (Tā tīngle yī duī láosāo huà, xīnqíng yě biànde bù hǎole.) - After hearing a bunch of complaining remarks, her mood also became bad.
نصائح
Basic Meaning
牢骚 (láosāo) is a noun that means a grumble or a complaint. It often implies a feeling of dissatisfaction or resentment.
Common Usage: 发牢骚
The most common way to use 牢骚 is with the verb 发 (fā), meaning to 'emit' or 'express.' So, 发牢骚 means to grumble or complain. It's a common phrase in everyday conversation.
Context of Use
You often use 牢骚 when someone is expressing their unhappiness about something, usually in a somewhat mild or indirect way, rather than a strong, direct accusation. It's more about venting feelings.
Example 1
他总是对工作发牢骚。
Tā zǒng shì duì gōngzuò fā láosāo.
He always grumbles about his work.
Example 2
别发牢骚了，我们一起想办法解决问题。
Bié fā láosāo le, wǒmen yīqǐ xiǎng bànfǎ jiějué wèntí.
Don't complain, let's think of a way to solve the problem together.
Example 3: 有牢骚
你可以说一个人 '有牢骚' (yǒu láosāo), meaning they have complaints or a feeling of resentment. It indicates a state of mind.
Cultural Note: Indirect Complaints
In Chinese culture, direct confrontation is often avoided. 发牢骚 can be a way to express dissatisfaction without being overly aggressive. It's a more subtle form of complaint.
Not for Formal Complaints
Do not use 牢骚 for formal complaints, like filing a complaint with a company or reporting a crime. For those, you would use words like 投诉 (tóusù - to complain/lodge a complaint) or 举报 (jǔbào - to report).
Synonym: 抱怨
A close synonym is 抱怨 (bàoyuàn), which also means to complain. While often interchangeable, 抱怨 can sometimes carry a slightly stronger or more direct sense of complaint than 牢骚.
Practice Sentence
下次如果你有牢骚，可以直接告诉我。
Xià cì rúguǒ nǐ yǒu láosāo, kěyǐ zhíjiē gàosù wǒ.
Next time if you have any complaints, you can tell me directly.
أصل الكلمة
The character '牢' (láo) originally depicted an ox tied in a pen, evolving to mean 'firm' or 'secure'. '骚' (sāo) originally referred to the rustling sound of leaves or the troubled cries of animals, later extended to mean 'disturbed' or 'upset'.
المعنى الأصلي: The combination '牢骚' (láosāo) likely developed to describe a feeling of being 'bottled up' with complaints or a 'troubled' state of mind that leads to vocal dissatisfaction.
Sino-Tibetan, Sinitic, Mandarin Chineseالسياق الثقافي
<p>In Chinese culture, expressing '牢骚' can be a way to vent frustration, but it's often seen as more appropriate to do so among close friends or family rather than in formal settings. While it’s understood that people have complaints, excessive '牢骚' might be perceived as a sign of negativity or lack of resilience.</p><p>Sometimes, '牢骚' can also be a gentle way to express dissatisfaction without directly confronting someone, especially in contexts where direct confrontation might be considered impolite or disruptive to harmony. It's a common human experience, and acknowledging it can sometimes lead to shared understanding or commiseration among peers.</p>
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةBoth 牢骚 and 抱怨 mean 'complaint' or 'grumble.' However, 抱怨 is a more general term for expressing dissatisfaction, while 牢骚 specifically refers to grumbling, usually about one's circumstances, work, or unfair treatment. 牢骚 often implies a somewhat resentful or discontented tone, while 抱怨 can be more neutral.
You can use 牢骚 as a noun or with verbs like 发 (fā) which means 'to emit' or 'to express,' and 满 (mǎn) which means 'full of.' For example:
他总是发牢骚。 (Tā zǒng shì fā láosāo.) - He is always grumbling.
工作的时候不要满腹牢骚。 (Gōngzuò de shíhou bú yào mǎnfù láosāo.) - Don't be full of complaints while working.
听了他的牢骚，我感到很无奈。 (Tīng le tā de láosāo, wǒ gǎndào hěn wúnài.) - After listening to his grumbling, I felt helpless.
Yes, 牢骚 generally carries a negative connotation. It describes someone who is discontented and tends to complain, often without offering solutions or being constructive. While everyone might complain occasionally, a person who '发牢骚' frequently is usually seen as negative.
Not typically. For complaints about services, food, or products in a commercial setting, you would usually use 抱怨 (bàoyuàn) or 投诉 (tóusù), which means 'to lodge a complaint.' 牢骚 is more about expressing personal discontent or grumbling about one's fate or situation.
The most common phrase is 发牢骚 (fā láosāo), which means 'to grumble' or 'to complain.' Another common one is 满腹牢骚 (mǎnfù láosāo), meaning 'full of complaints' or 'full of grievances.' You might also hear 一肚子牢骚 (yī dùzi láosāo) which has a similar meaning to 满腹牢骚.
牢骚 is generally an informal word. It's used in everyday conversation to describe someone's grumbling or complaining behavior. You wouldn't typically see it in very formal documents or speeches.
You can try to break down the characters. 牢 (láo) means 'firm' or 'prison,' and 骚 (sāo) can mean 'disturb' or 'agitation.' While these individual meanings don't directly translate to 'grumble,' you can think of it as being 'imprisoned by one's own agitation or discontent,' leading to grumbling. This mnemonic might help you recall its meaning.
No, 牢骚 is primarily a noun. To express the action of complaining, you'd use a verb like 发 (fā) before it, as in 发牢骚 (fā láosāo).
There aren't really any 'positive' synonyms for 牢骚, as the word itself describes a negative behavior. If you want to express a different kind of concern or feedback, you'd use words like 意见 (yìjiàn) for 'opinion/suggestion' or 建议 (jiànyì) for 'recommendation,' which are neutral or positive.
When someone is constantly 发牢骚, it's often best to listen patiently initially to understand their concerns. However, if it becomes excessive, you might gently try to steer the conversation towards solutions or suggest they take action instead of just complaining. Sometimes, just acknowledging their feelings can help.
اختبر نفسك 108 أسئلة
她总爱发___。
The sentence means 'She always likes to grumble.' '牢骚' (láosāo) means 'grumble' or 'complaint.'
他有很多___，但他不说。
The sentence means 'He has many complaints, but he doesn't say them.' '牢骚' (láosāo) fits here as 'complaints.'
不要再___了，去工作吧！
The sentence means 'Stop complaining, go to work!' '发牢骚' (fā láosāo) means 'to complain' or 'to grumble.'
老师不喜欢学生___。
The sentence means 'Teachers don't like students to complain.' '说牢骚' (shuō láosāo) means 'to complain.'
你为什么总有这么多___？
The sentence means 'Why do you always have so many complaints?' '牢骚' (láosāo) is the correct word for 'complaints.'
他听了很多___，觉得很烦。
The sentence means 'He listened to many complaints and felt annoyed.' '牢骚' (láosāo) fits the context of hearing annoying things.
Which word means 'grumble' or 'complaint'?
牢骚 (láosāo) means 'grumble' or 'complaint'.
If someone is unhappy, they might have a...
A 'láosāo' is a grumble or complaint, often coming from unhappiness.
What is the English meaning of 牢骚 (láosāo)?
牢骚 (láosāo) directly translates to 'grumble' or 'complaint'.
牢骚 (láosāo) means 'to be happy'.
No, 牢骚 (láosāo) means 'grumble' or 'complaint', which is the opposite of being happy.
When someone has a 牢骚 (láosāo), they are probably feeling good.
No, a 牢骚 (láosāo) is a complaint, so someone having one is likely not feeling good.
You can have a 牢骚 (láosāo) about food you don't like.
Yes, you can grumble or complain (have a 牢骚) about things you don't like, including food.
Listen and understand 'hello'.
Listen and understand 'thank you'.
Listen and understand 'goodbye'.
Read this aloud:
你好
Focus: nǐ hǎo
قلت:
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Read this aloud:
谢谢
Focus: xiè xie
قلت:
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Read this aloud:
再见
Focus: zài jiàn
قلت:
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This sentence means 'He always grumbles.' The structure is Subject + Adverb (总是) + Verb (发) + Object (牢骚).
This sentence means 'Don't grumble anymore.' '别' means 'don't', '了' indicates a change of state or completion.
This sentence means 'She has complaints about work.' '对' indicates 'regarding' or 'about'.
他总是对工作有各种各样的___。
The sentence means 'He always has all sorts of complaints about work.' '牢骚' (complaints) fits the context best.
别再发___了，快点开始干活吧。
The sentence means 'Stop complaining and start working.' '发牢骚' is a common phrase meaning 'to grumble' or 'to complain'.
她很少抱怨，也很少发___。
The sentence means 'She rarely complains and rarely grumbles.' '发牢骚' (to grumble) is the correct word here.
听到他的___，老板很不高兴。
The sentence means 'The boss was very unhappy to hear his complaints.' '牢骚' (complaints) fits the context of the boss being unhappy.
虽然工作很辛苦，但他从不发___。
The sentence means 'Although the work is hard, he never complains.' '发牢骚' (to complain) is the appropriate phrase.
面对困难，我们应该解决问题，而不是发___。
The sentence means 'Facing difficulties, we should solve problems instead of complaining.' '发牢骚' (to complain) is the correct choice.
她总是发___。
To '发牢骚' means to grumble or complain.
别再___了，快去工作吧！
The phrase '发牢骚' means to complain or grumble. The context suggests someone is complaining instead of working.
他对工作有很多___。
This sentence means 'He has many complaints about his work.' '牢骚' fits best here.
他说他没有牢骚，他很满意。
If someone says they don't have '牢骚', it means they are satisfied, not dissatisfied. So, the statement is false.
她常常抱怨，有很多牢骚。
To '抱怨' means to complain, which is consistent with having many '牢骚'.
他听到好消息，所以他发牢骚。
Receiving good news usually leads to happiness, not '牢骚' (complaints).
Write a short sentence about something that makes you happy. (e.g. 我喜欢吃冰淇淋。)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我喜欢看电影。
Write a short sentence about something you don't like to do. (e.g. 我不喜欢洗碗。)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我不想去商店。
Write a short sentence about your favorite food. (e.g. 我最喜欢饺子。)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我最喜欢面条。
小明喜欢做什么？
Read this passage:
小明喜欢踢足球。他每天下午都去公园踢足球。他的朋友们也喜欢和他一起踢足球。
小明喜欢做什么？
文章中说小明喜欢踢足球。
文章中说小明喜欢踢足球。
丽丽的猫叫什么名字？
Read this passage:
丽丽的猫很可爱。它的名字叫Mimi。Mimi喜欢睡觉和玩玩具。
丽丽的猫叫什么名字？
文章中说猫的名字叫Mimi。
文章中说猫的名字叫Mimi。
今天天气怎么样？
Read this passage:
今天天气很好，阳光明媚。我想去公园散步。你呢？
今天天气怎么样？
文章中说今天天气很好，阳光明媚。
文章中说今天天气很好，阳光明媚。
This sentence means 'He has no complaints.' The structure is Subject + Verb + Object.
This means 'Don't grumble.' '不要' means 'don't', and '发牢骚' is a common phrase for 'to grumble' or 'to complain'.
This sentence means 'She likes to grumble.' The structure is Subject + Verb + Phrase.
他总是喜欢发___。
发牢骚 (fā láosāo) means to grumble or complain. The sentence means 'He always likes to grumble.'
别再抱怨了，你的___没有人想听。
牢骚 (láosāo) fits here, meaning 'complaints'. The sentence means 'Stop complaining, nobody wants to hear your complaints.'
他对工作有很多___。
对...有牢骚 (duì...yǒu láosāo) means to have complaints about something. The sentence means 'He has many complaints about work.'
听了他的___，我也觉得有点不开心。
听了他的牢骚 (tīng le tā de láosāo) means 'after listening to his grumbles/complaints'. The sentence means 'After listening to his complaints, I also felt a bit unhappy.'
她总是对生活中的小事发___。
发牢骚 (fā láosāo) means to grumble or complain. The sentence means 'She always grumbles about small things in life.'
经理听取了员工的___。
听取牢骚 (tīngqǔ láosāo) means to listen to complaints. The sentence means 'The manager listened to the employees' complaints.'
He always grumbles.
Don't complain, try to solve the problem.
You can tell me if you have any complaints.
Read this aloud:
他发牢骚是因为工作太累。
Focus: fā láosāo
قلت:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
这个顾客有很多牢骚。
Focus: gùkè yǒu hěnduō láosāo
قلت:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
你应该少发牢骚，多做事。
Focus: shǎo fā láosāo, duō zuòshì
قلت:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
You waited a long time for a friend who was late. Write a short message to them expressing your mild complaint using 牢骚.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
你终于来了！我等了你好久，都快有牢骚了。
Your internet is very slow. Write a sentence expressing your complaint about the slow speed, using 牢骚.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
这个网速太慢了，真让人忍不住发牢骚。
You had a long, tiring day at work. Write a sentence about how you might express your tiredness and a slight complaint, using 牢骚.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
今天工作好累，真想发几句牢骚。
小王经常做什么？
Read this passage:
小王总是抱怨工作很忙，每天有很多牢骚。他的朋友建议他放松一下，不要总是想着不开心的事情。
小王经常做什么？
文章中明确提到“小王总是抱怨工作很忙，每天有很多牢骚”。
文章中明确提到“小王总是抱怨工作很忙，每天有很多牢骚”。
为什么有些人有牢骚？
Read this passage:
这个新政策引起了一些人的牢骚，他们觉得不方便。但是政府解释说这是为了长远的利益。
为什么有些人有牢骚？
文章中说“他们觉得不方便”，所以引起了牢骚。
文章中说“他们觉得不方便”，所以引起了牢骚。
老师为什么决定和同学们讨论？
Read this passage:
老师听了同学的牢骚，明白他们对考试安排有意见。老师决定和同学们讨论，找到一个更好的解决方案。
老师为什么决定和同学们讨论？
文章中提到“老师听了同学的牢骚，明白他们对考试安排有意见”，所以老师要讨论。
文章中提到“老师听了同学的牢骚，明白他们对考试安排有意见”，所以老师要讨论。
This sentence means 'He loves to grumble'. The correct order is Subject (他) + Verb (爱) + Object (发牢骚).
This sentence means 'Don't complain anymore'. The structure is '别 (don't) + 再 (anymore) + 动词 (verb) + 了 (particle)'.
This sentence means 'I heard his complaint'. The correct order is Subject (我) + Verb (听到) + Object (他的牢骚).
What does he often do that is unbearable?
What can you tell me directly?
What do people have about the company's policy?
Read this aloud:
你有什么牢骚吗？
Focus: láo sāo
قلت:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
别再发牢骚了，想想办法解决问题。
Focus: fā láo sāo
قلت:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
听到别人的牢骚，我应该怎么回应？
Focus: yīng gāi zěn me huí yìng
قلت:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
他总是对工作抱怨，满了___。
Contextually, '抱怨' (complain) suggests a negative emotion, making '牢骚' (grumble/complaint) the most suitable fit.
别再发___了，想想怎么解决问题。
'发牢骚' is a common collocation meaning 'to grumble' or 'to complain'.
她很少抱怨，总是积极面对生活中的___。
The sentence implies facing difficulties positively. While '牢骚' is a negative feeling, '困境' (predicament/difficulty) is a situation to be faced.
会议室里弥漫着大家的___，对新的规定表示不满。
The phrase '表示不满' (express dissatisfaction) directly leads to '牢骚' (grumbles/complaints) as the cause.
领导听取了员工的___，并承诺会改进。
The context implies the employees had complaints that the leader addressed, so '牢骚' fits well.
尽管工作很辛苦，但他从没有一句___。
The sentence indicates a lack of complaining despite hardship, making '牢骚' the correct choice.
This sentence structure expresses who is complaining and about what. '发牢骚' means 'to grumble' or 'to complain'.
This sentence compares two actions: finding solutions versus just complaining. '抱怨' is a synonym for '牢骚'.
This sentence uses '尽管...但是...' to show a concession. '有些牢骚' means 'had some complaints'.
Listen for how '牢骚' is used in the context of someone complaining all day about work.
Pay attention to the contrasting idea of not having '牢骚' when facing setbacks.
Identify who heard the '牢骚' and what action was taken as a result.
Read this aloud:
你觉得人们常常因为什么而发牢骚？
Focus: 发牢骚 (fā láosāo)
قلت:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
在你的文化中，人们如何处理或表达他们的牢骚？
Focus: 处理牢骚 (chǔlǐ láosāo)
قلت:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
请用“牢骚”造一个关于生活或工作的句子。
Focus: 牢骚 (láosāo)
قلت:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
You are a manager and one of your employees constantly complains about their workload. Write an email to this employee addressing their '牢骚' (grumbling/complaints) and suggesting a solution. Maintain a professional yet understanding tone.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
尊敬的[员工姓名]：我注意到您最近对工作量有些牢骚。我理解工作有时会很辛苦，我希望我们可以一起找到解决方案来改善这种情况。请您在周三下午和我沟通，我们一起讨论一下如何合理分配工作，让您更有效地完成任务。谢谢您的理解与合作。祝好！[您的名字]
Describe a situation where someone's '牢骚' (grumbling) escalated into a more serious conflict. What could have been done differently to prevent this escalation?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我的同事对项目分配的牢骚越来越多，他觉得分配不公平。起初只是私下抱怨，后来他在会议上公开表达不满，导致和经理发生了激烈争执。为了避免这种升级，经理应该在听到他最初的牢骚时就主动与他沟通，了解他的顾虑，并尝试解释或调整。及时的沟通和问题解决可以防止小小的牢骚变成大冲突。
Imagine you are writing a column for a self-help magazine. Write a short paragraph advising readers on how to deal with their own '牢骚' (grumbling) in a constructive way, rather than letting it become negative.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我们每个人都会有牢骚，但关键在于如何处理它。与其让牢骚演变成负面情绪，不如将其视为发现问题的契机。当你感到不满时，试着分析其根源，然后积极寻求解决方案。把牢骚转化为建设性的意见，你会发现生活会变得更轻松，问题也能迎刃而解。
根据文章，小王对公司新政策的牢骚主要是什么原因？
Read this passage:
小王总是对公司的新政策充满牢骚，他认为这些政策只会增加他们的工作负担，而不会带来任何好处。他的同事们开始觉得他的负面情绪影响了团队士气。最终，经理决定找他谈话，希望能解决他的牢骚，并听取他的具体建议。
根据文章，小王对公司新政策的牢骚主要是什么原因？
文章中明确提到“他认为这些政策只会增加他们的工作负担，而不会带来任何好处”。
文章中明确提到“他认为这些政策只会增加他们的工作负担，而不会带来任何好处”。
李经理对员工发表意见的态度是怎样的？
Read this passage:
在一次部门会议上，李经理鼓励大家自由发表意见，但也强调希望大家能提出建设性的建议，而不是单纯的牢骚。他表示，公司欢迎不同的声音，但前提是这些声音能促进公司的发展和进步。如果只是抱怨，是无法解决问题的。
李经理对员工发表意见的态度是怎样的？
文章中提到“李经理鼓励大家自由发表意见，但也强调希望大家能提出建设性的建议，而不是单纯的牢骚”。
文章中提到“李经理鼓励大家自由发表意见，但也强调希望大家能提出建设性的建议，而不是单纯的牢骚”。
根据文章，老张的牢骚主要针对什么？
Read this passage:
老张退休后，常常对现在的年轻人发出牢骚，觉得他们不够努力，不够吃苦。他的儿子劝他多看看积极的一面，不要总是沉浸在过去的观念里。然而，老张的牢骚似乎已经成为了他的习惯，难以改变。
根据文章，老张的牢骚主要针对什么？
文章中明确指出“老张退休后，常常对现在的年轻人发出牢骚”。
文章中明确指出“老张退休后，常常对现在的年轻人发出牢骚”。
This sentence means 'Stop always complaining.' '别' (bié) means 'don't', '总是' (zǒngshì) means 'always', '发牢骚' (fā láosāo) is the verb phrase meaning 'to grumble/complain', and '了' (le) indicates a change of state or completion.
This sentence means 'He has many complaints about work.' '他' (tā) is 'he', '对' (duì) means 'regarding/to', '工作' (gōngzuò) is 'work', '有' (yǒu) means 'to have', '很多' (hěnduō) means 'many', and '牢骚' (láosāo) is 'complaints'.
This sentence means 'The leader listened to everyone's complaints.' '领导' (língdǎo) is 'leader', '听了' (tīng le) means 'listened', '大家' (dàjiā) is 'everyone', and '的牢骚' (de láosāo) means 'complaints of'.
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Basic Meaning
牢骚 (láosāo) is a noun that means a grumble or a complaint. It often implies a feeling of dissatisfaction or resentment.
Common Usage: 发牢骚
The most common way to use 牢骚 is with the verb 发 (fā), meaning to 'emit' or 'express.' So, 发牢骚 means to grumble or complain. It's a common phrase in everyday conversation.
Context of Use
You often use 牢骚 when someone is expressing their unhappiness about something, usually in a somewhat mild or indirect way, rather than a strong, direct accusation. It's more about venting feelings.
Example 1
他总是对工作发牢骚。
Tā zǒng shì duì gōngzuò fā láosāo.
He always grumbles about his work.
مثال
大家对他的牢骚已经听腻了。
محتوى ذو صلة
هذه الكلمة بلغات أخرى
مزيد من كلمات daily_life
朝九晚五
B2From nine to five; regular working hours.
未免
B2Rather; a bit too; truly (implies something excessive).
废弃
B2To abandon; to discard; to cease to use.
恪守
B2To scrupulously observe; to strictly adhere to.
反常
B2abnormal, unusual
充裕
B2Abundant; ample.
充沛
B2Abundant; plentiful; full of energy.
门禁卡
B2Access card; entry card.
门禁
B2Access control (system).
配件
B2Fittings; accessories; spare parts.
