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French word of the day: Grogner

The Local France
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French word of the day: Grogner
Photo: Annie Spratt/Unsplash/Nicolas Raymond"

There's more than just one way 'to complain' in French. Here's one for times that merit real growling.

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Why do I need to know grogner?

Because learning French is also about French cultural quirks, and this is arguably one of them.

What does it mean?

Grogner translates to 'grunt', 'growl' or 'grumble' in English, and is one of the many French expressions referring to the, arguably very French, act of complaining.

READ ALSO Why I love the French habits of scolding and complaining

According to French online dictionary l'Internaute, grogner means to "make one's dissatisfaction heard".

Other French expressions for that is râler, rouspéter, grommeler, ronchonner or se plaindre - along with a few moreDepending on where you live and what circles you run in, you probably will have heard some of these and not others.

READ ALSO Eleven phrases that will let you complain like the French

La grogne means 'the discontent', and can be used to talk about anger in certain social groups, for example la grogne syndicale - the anger expressed by trade unions.

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Use it like this

Thibault, je t'entends grogner là-bas, tu en penses quoi ? - Thibault, I hear your grumblings over there, what do you reckon?

Elle grogne tout le temps, peu importe la suggestion. Elle n'est jamais contente. - She always complains, no matter the suggestion. She's never pleased.

J'en ai marre de t'écouter grogner tout le temps. Pour une fois de ta vie, tu pourrais essayer d'être optimiste ? - I'm sick of listening to your complaining all the time. For once in your life, can you try to be optimistic?

Synonyms

Rouspéter - to complain

Râler - to complain

Bougonner - to grumble

Ronchonner - to grumble/complain/protest

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