Definition

1. Verb:
   • To complain: To express dissatisfaction, annoyance, or resentment about something.
   • To moan / to grumble: To voice a complaint in a persistent, often low-key or whining manner.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ấy luôn kêu ca về thời tiết. (He always complains about the weather.)
  • Đừng kêu ca nữa, hãy tập trung vào giải pháp. (Stop moaning and focus on the solution.)
  • Cô ấy kêu ca suốt ngày về công việc. (She grumbles all day about her job.)

Advanced Usage

• The verb often implies a repetitive or habitual action of complaining about minor issues, sometimes perceived as whining.
• It can be used reflexively to describe the act of complaining about one's own situation.

Variants and Related Words

• Than vãn (v): to lament, to bemoan. Often used similarly to "kêu ca" but can imply a more sorrowful tone.
• Phàn nàn (v): to complain, to protest. This is a more direct synonym, often used in formal and informal contexts.

Synonyms

• Complain: to express discontent.
• Grumble: to complain in a bad-tempered way.
• Moan: to make a complaint in a mournful or whining manner.
• Gripe (informal): to complain persistently.

Related Idioms

• Kêu ca phàn nàn: This is a common paired phrase emphasizing continuous and vocal complaining.
  • Mọi người chỉ ngồi đó và kêu ca phàn nàn. (People just sat there complaining and moaning.)

1. Complain, moan
   • Tính hay kêu ca
     To be in the habit of complaining