Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| queja | /ˈkexa/ | feminine |
| agravio | /aˈɡɾabjo/ | masculine |
Queja is the most common and general word for a grievance in Spanish, used for a complaint about a situation or a service. Other specific terms include reclamación for a formal complaint, denuncia for reporting a grievance to authorities or an organization and molestia for a minor annoyance or irritation.
Which one should you use?
Use queja for a general complaint or a grievance. Use agravio when the grievance refers to a formal offense, an insult or a violation of rights.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina and Uruguay, the informal word bronca (meaning anger) can be used among friends to express a grievance.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the feminine noun queja is quejas. The plural form of the masculine noun agravio is agravios.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkexa/
Did you know?
- The word queja is etymologically linked to the act of lamenting or mourning, which gives it a more visceral, emotional root than the clinical English 'complaint'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, expressing a queja can be as much about vocalizing physical suffering or pain as it is about expressing a verbal disagreement.
- The word agravio is so heavy that it is frequently used in high-level diplomacy to describe an insult to a nation's dignity rather than a simple person-to-person complaint.
Examples in context
- Tengo una quejaI have a grievance
- Si tiene alguna queja, por favor hágamelo saberIf you have any grievance, please let me know
- Quisiera presentar una reclamación formalI would like to file a formal complaint
- Estoy aquí para hacer una reclamación sobre el servicio recibidoI am here to make a complaint about the service received
- Quiero presentar una denunciaI want to make a formal complaint
- No me queda otra opción que presentar una denunciaI have no choice but to file a complaint
- Tengo una molestia con el servicio prestadoI have an annoyance with the service provided
- Quería comentarles una molestia que tuveI wanted to mention a minor grievance I had
- Me da mucha bronca su actitudI'm really angry about their attitude
- Presentó una queja formal.He/she filed a formal complaint.
- El agravio fue recibido con indignación.The grievance/offense was received with indignation.
- El cliente presentó una queja formal.The customer filed a formal complaint.
- No quiero escuchar ninguna queja.I don't want to hear any complaints.
- Su queja fue atendida rápidamente.His complaint was handled quickly.
Example conversation
Alejandro is talking to María about a bad experience at a restaurant.
- María¿Por qué estás tan enojado, Alejandro?Why are you so angry, Alejandro?
- AlejandroTengo una queja sobre la comida.I have a complaint about the food.
- MaríaDeberías hablar con el gerente.You should speak with the manager.
- AlejandroSí, voy a presentar mi queja ahora.Yes, I am going to file my complaint now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “grievance” translations and entries queja, agravio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries agravio, queja, CC BY-SA 4.0.
