kuhm-PLAYNZ
/kəmˈpleɪnz/
complains is pronounced kuhm-PLAYNZ (/kəmˈpleɪnz/). Complains means to expresses dissatisfaction or annoyance about something, often formally or repeatedly. The term functions as a verb, describing the act of voicing complaints or grievances, sometimes implying a habitual behavior or ongoing objection. It conveys a stance of discontent and requests for change or relief.
Complains means to expresses dissatisfaction or annoyance about something, often formally or repeatedly. The term functions as a verb, describing the act of voicing complaints or grievances, sometimes implying a habitual behavior or ongoing objection. It conveys a stance of discontent and requests for change or relief.
- Misplacing the stress: put primary stress on the second syllable /pleɪnz/ as /kəmˈpleɪnz/, not /ˈkɒmplɛnz/; practice by saying the first syllable quickly then pausing for the strong /pleɪnz/ chunk. - Final cluster confusion: ensure the /nz/ is fully voiced; avoid turning it into /nz/ or devoice to /n/; practice with a voiced z after nasal /n/. - Vowel quality in unstressed syllable: the /ə/ should be reduced; avoid overarticulating 'co' in the first syllable. - Linking in rapid speech: in connected speech you may hear /m/ bleed into /p/; practice tongue transition to keep /m/ and /p/ distinct.
"She complains about the noisy neighbors every evening."
"The team complains that the process is unfair and outdated."
"Officials complain that funding is insufficient for the project."
Pronounce as kəm-PLAINZ with the primary stress on the second syllable. The /k/ is a hard stop, the mid-central /ə/ in the first syllable is muted, the diphthong /eɪ/ in the stressed syllable is clear and open, and the final /nz/ is a voiced alveolar nasal plus voiced sibilant. IPA: /kəmˈpleɪnz/. For US/UK/AU, the articulation is largely the same; focus on the stressed /eɪ/ and the final /nz/ blend. In connected speech you’ll hear a light linking into the /m/ before the /p/ and possible slight blending in rapid talk.
Two common errors: (1) Misplacing the stress, saying /ˈkɒmpleɪnz/ with primary emphasis on the first syllable; correct with /kəmˈpleɪnz/. (2) Slurring the final /nz/ into /nz/? or devoicing it to /n/; ensure the final z is voiced, producing /z/ after /n/. Tip: practice isolating the /pleɪn/ portion, then attach the initial /kə/ quickly without changing the vowel quality of /pleɪn/. Check your mouth position to keep the /eɪ/ clear and the /n/ and /z/ separate yet connected.
In US, UK, and AU, the RHOTIC difference? US is rhotic; /r/ is not present in this word, so focus on the /ˈpleɪnz/ portion. The main difference lies in vowel quality; UK tends to have a more centralized or clipped schwa in the first syllable /kə/ and a slightly shorter /eɪ/; AU aligns closely with UK but with a more centralized vowel in pre-stressed syllable. Overall, /kəmˈpleɪnz/ remains consistent; differences appear in the duration and quality of the /ə/ and the vowel length of the /eɪ/.
Because it combines a reduced first syllable /kəm/ with a strong second-syllable diphthong /eɪ/ and a voiced coda /nz/. The transition from a weak /ə/ to the strong /eɪ/ diphthong requires precise mouth shaping and timing to avoid misplacing stress. The final /nz/ cluster needs clear voicing without creating an audible pause, and in fast speech the /m/ and /p/ can coalesce. The challenge is maintaining crisp articulation in /pleɪnz/ while keeping the initial /k/ and the trailing nasal-sibilant blend distinct.
The word includes a common English stress shift from a unimposing /kə/ to a high-energy /ˈpleɪnz/; learners often mispronounce it as /ˈkɒmplɛnz/ or /kəˈmpleinz/. Remember the second syllable bears the stress, and the /m/ should smoothly connect to /pleɪn/. The presence of the nasal /n/ before the /z/ is a subtle feature; it should be heard as a nasal-alveolar plus voiced sibilant, not a hard stop.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "complains"!
Complains comes from the Old French word comPLANIR, which evolved through Latin roots, ultimately from Latin planum meaning flat or level, tied into the idea of laying out or lamenting a grievance. The modern English verb form owes much to the influence of Old French complainre, which in turn derives from the Latin calcare or murmure; however, its semantic shift toward voicing dissatisfaction solidified in Early Modern English. The term began to appear in records around the 14th and 15th centuries, initially with a broader sense of lament or grievance, later narrowing to the act of voicing a complaint. By the 16th century, the conjunctive form with -s for third-person singular and -ing forms for gerunds emerged, aligning with standard English verb conjugation. In contemporary usage, complain retains its core meaning of expressing dissatisfaction, while the register ranges from casual to formal, depending on context and tone. The word’s pronunciation has remained relatively stable, though regional vowel shifts over time have influenced subtle vowel quality. The word’s use is widespread in both everyday speech and formal criticism, reflecting its long-standing function in social negotiation and complaint culture.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "complains" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "complains" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "complains" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "complains"
-ins sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
