How to pronounce complaining
Say it like kum-PLAY-ning. Complaining has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PLAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce complaining. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kum
- PLAY
- ning
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Complaining pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kumKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- PLAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- ningKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of complaining
American and British speakers say complaining in essentially the same way: /kəmˈpleɪnɪŋ/ in the US and /kəmˈpleɪnɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: kum-PLAY-ning.
What does complaining mean?
- expressing pain or dissatisfaction of resentment“a complaining boss”
Words that rhyme with complaining
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of complaining.
Questions about saying complaining
How do you pronounce complaining?
Say kum-PLAY-ning. The American pronunciation is /kəmˈpleɪnɪŋ/. In British English it is /kəmˈpleɪnɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in complaining?
Complaining has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PLAY). Broken into parts: kum · PLAY · ning.
Do Americans and Brits say complaining the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /kəmˈpleɪnɪŋ/ and the British form is /kəmˈpleɪnɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.