Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Complaint" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "complaint", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
苦情
くじょう (kujō)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
愁訴
しゅうそ (shouso)
N1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "complaint" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 苦情 and 愁訴.
In Japanese, 苦情 (くじょう (kujō)) is typically associated with "complaint; grievance; objection" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to a complaint, grievance, or objection regarding a service, product, or neighbor behavior. Often used as 苦情を言う.
On the other hand, 愁訴 (しゅうそ (shouso)) maps to "complaint, appeal, lament (especially about pain/suffering)" (Syllabus Level: N1) and represents Often used in medical contexts to refer to a patient's subjective complaint of symptoms, or more generally, a lament about one's suffering. 病気や苦痛を訴えること、または悲しみや不満を訴え悲しむこと。. A literal translation of "complaint" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "苦情"
近所の騒音について、アパートの管理人に_______を申し立てました。
Regarding the noise in the neighborhood, I filed a complaint with the apartment manager.
Bilingual Context for "愁訴"
彼女は病気の愁訴を医師に詳しく伝えた。
She clearly explained her symptoms to the doctor.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "近所の騒音について、アパートの管理人に_______を申し立てました。" (Meaning: "Regarding the noise in the neighborhood, I filed a complaint with the apartment manager.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "苦情" fits here because it means "complaint; grievance; objection" in the context of: "Regarding the noise in the neighborhood, I filed a complaint with the apartment manager.". "愁訴" represents "complaint, appeal, lament (especially about pain/suffering)".